Yemen
Responding to urgent humanitarian needs
Yemen is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. After years of armed conflict, millions of people have been displaced and entire communities have been left without access to basic services. The combination of ongoing violence, economic instability and a collapsing infrastructure has pushed much of the population to the brink of survival.
Dorcas is committed to responding to the urgent needs of the Yemeni people. Through our programmes in protection, water and sanitation, food security and mental health support, we work alongside local partners to provide both immediate relief and longer term solutions. Our goal is to restore dignity and build resilience among the most vulnerable communities.
Population: 35.2 million · Poverty rate: 48.6% · Our reach in 2024: 82,548 people
Overview
Dorcas opened its office in Aden, Yemen in 2021, responding to the growing humanitarian needs in the south of the country. Since then, our operations have expanded to the governorates of Al Dhalea and Taiz, where communities face some of the most acute challenges resulting from the ongoing conflict.
Our work in Yemen focuses on three core areas: protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood support. Through these initiatives, we aim to address both the immediate needs and the underlying vulnerabilities that prevent communities from recovering. We work closely with local partner organisations to ensure our programmes are rooted in the realities of Yemeni society.
Food Security and Livelihoods
Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges in Yemen, with millions of people struggling to feed their families. Dorcas supports communities in building sustainable food systems through the distribution of agricultural kits, seeds and tools that enable families to grow their own crops and regain a measure of self sufficiency.
In addition to agricultural support, our livelihood programmes include training in water management and climate adaptive farming techniques. These initiatives help communities not only to survive the current crisis but also to develop the skills and resources needed for long term food security and economic stability.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
The prolonged conflict in Yemen has created significant mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs across all segments of the population. Displacement, loss of loved ones, destruction of homes and persistent insecurity have left deep psychological scars, particularly among women, children and the elderly.
Dorcas provides psychological first aid and structured psychosocial support through community based programmes. Our trained counsellors and local facilitators help individuals and families process trauma, develop coping strategies and rebuild a sense of safety and hope. By integrating MHPSS into our wider programming, we address the often invisible wounds of conflict alongside more visible humanitarian needs.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a daily struggle for many communities in Yemen. Years of conflict have damaged critical water infrastructure, leaving millions without reliable access to safe drinking water. Poor sanitation conditions contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Dorcas addresses these challenges through a range of WASH interventions, including the rehabilitation of wells, repair and extension of sewage networks, emergency water distribution and the construction of retaining walls to protect water sources. These efforts are designed to restore essential services and reduce the health risks faced by vulnerable communities across the governorates where we operate.
Dorcas in Yemen
Khalid's Story
Khalid is a father of ten living in one of Yemen's most drought affected regions. Like many families in the area, his household has been pushed to the edge by years of conflict, poverty and environmental decline. With limited access to water and no reliable source of income, providing for his children became an overwhelming challenge.
Through Dorcas' livelihood and WASH programmes, Khalid received support that helped him restore his ability to care for his family. His story reflects the resilience of Yemeni communities and the difference that targeted, community based assistance can make in the lives of those who need it most.
Haifa and LOYAC
Haifa is based in Aden, where she founded the local partner organisation LOYAC. As one of Dorcas' key implementing partners in Yemen, LOYAC plays a vital role in delivering community based programmes in protection, livelihoods and psychosocial support across some of the most underserved areas in the south of the country.
Haifa's leadership and deep understanding of the local context have been instrumental in shaping effective and culturally sensitive programming. Her work with LOYAC demonstrates the power of local partnerships in driving sustainable humanitarian impact.
Meet our Country Director
Jose Salema - Country Director Yemen
'Living in an area where there is a constant threat of violence has a great impact on people's mental health. Through our psychosocial support programmes, we give people the tools to cope with trauma and build resilience for a better future.'
Our partners
Dorcas works together with local and international partners in Yemen.
- ITDC (International Training and Development Center)
- LOYAC
- Medair
- NMO
- Pharus Foundation
