Life Becomes More Comfortable for Families Displaced on Yemen’s West Coast

Al Khukhah – When conflict reached Al-Khukhah and engulfed the area in violence, Abdu and his family, along with many other villagers, had to flee their homes in search of safety. As they crossed areas strewn with landmines, they set down each foot with a looming fear that they may step on a mine and become seriously injured or lose their lives. 

“We moved during the day and were afraid of clashes and mines. We walked for more than ten days, looking for a safe place until we reached here. Fortunately, none of us got injured or killed," said Abdu, a displaced person in Al Dehywi displacement site.  

Communities on the West Coast have been shaken up by the conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis.  Landmines have killed and maimed civilians, especially children, and prevented the return of displaced people.  

“All the people in my village were displaced. The conflict forced us to leave our homes and lands,” added Abdu.  

Living with his family in a displacement camp with inadequate access to basic needs and services, Abdu misses the old days of his decent life when he used to work as a fisherman and could return every night to his cozy house that sat on vast and safe land. 

“Here I am homeless. I barely find work and I can’t meet the basic needs for my family and I," explained Abdu.  

“The economy is struggling due to the conflict and prices are skyrocketing. This makes our lives more miserable,” continued Abdu. 

With support from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), IOM distributed shelter and non-food items to vulnerable displaced families in overcrowded sites in Al Khukhah. These relief items – including mattresses, blankets, mats, kitchen sets and buckets – make life in a displacement site a little more comfortable for families trying to start over. 

“We did not have enough mattresses, and this assistance we received will help improve our living conditions,” said Abdu, who hopes his family will now be able to sleep more soundly through the night. 

In partnership with KSrelief, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) works to mitigate the suffering of conflict-affected populations on the west coast through the provision of these essential services. In 2022, IOM reached more than 200,000 people across Yemen with shelter assistance and non-food items.