IOM Chief Sounds Alarm as Yemen Marks a Decade of War and Humanitarian Despair

Geneva/ Sana'a, 26 March 2025 – As Yemen enters its eleventh year of conflict, the country remains in the grip of relentless suffering. Close to 20 million people rely on aid to survive, with many having endured repeated displacement, rising hunger, and the collapse of essential services. 

An estimated 4.8 million people remain displaced across Yemen, many living in makeshift shelters that offer little protection against harsh weather and minimal access to basic services. Women and children are among the most affected, exposed to heightened risks of violence, malnutrition, and poor health. At the same time, floods, droughts, and extreme weather are worsening the already dire situation. Stranded migrants face brutal conditions with little chance of escape. Yet, as funding shortfalls worsen, humanitarian efforts are unable to keep up, leaving countless people in urgent need. 

“The war in Yemen has faded from global attention, but for those living through it, the suffering has never stopped,” said International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope.  “After more than a decade of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse, Yemen remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. However, as global attention shifts elsewhere, funding is dwindling. Now, more than ever, global solidarity is needed to prevent millions from being left behind.” 

Now, as the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, the weight of this crisis is even heavier. For many in Yemen, iftar will not be a time of gathering and abundance, but another night of going to sleep hungry, uncertain of what tomorrow will bring. While families around the world prepare for Eid, Yemenis will mark yet another holiday in the shadow of war, where loss, hunger, and hardship have become the norm. 

Despite ongoing efforts to provide aid, severe funding gaps are making it harder to reach those in greatest need. In many areas, displaced communities are surviving with barely any assistance. As needs grow, resources continue to shrink, leaving millions at risk. 

While Yemenis suffer the effects of war, tens of thousands of migrants also remain stranded, having arrived in the country hoping to reach the Gulf in search of better opportunities. Instead, they face exploitation, detention, violence, and dangerous journeys through active conflict zones. In 2024 alone, nearly 60,900 migrants arrived in Yemen, often with no means to survive. 

For many, the only way out is through IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, which helps migrants return home safely. Yet, without increased funding, even these critical efforts could be scaled back, leaving thousands of migrants trapped in Yemen, in increasingly dire conditions. 

“The people of Yemen cannot afford to be forgotten,” DG Pope added. “As families break their fast with barely enough to eat, as parents face another Eid unable to provide for their children, and as migrants remain stranded with no way home, the world cannot turn away. Every day without action means more suffering, more lives lost, and less hope for the future”. 

As Yemen marks another year of war, IOM calls on the international community to act now, before more lives are lost. Humanitarian needs remain vast, and the consequences of inaction will be severe. The already dire situation is at risk of becoming even more neglected, as global crises compete for attention and resources. 

Watch IOM Yemen’s Chief of Mission highlight why urgent action from the international community is needed.

Read more in this article from Othman Belbeisi, Regional Director of IOM MENA, about why Yemen—a land of resilience and untold stories—must not be forgotten.  

For more information, please contact: 
 

In Yemen: Monica Chiriac, mchiriac@iom.int 

In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int 

In Geneva: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int