Humanitarian Relief for Yemen

During the second quarter of 2026, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation continued providing humanitarian assistance to children and families across Yemen. From April through June, YRRF carried out 16 projects in 14 governorates, reaching 233,108 people through nutrition programs, orphan sponsorship, education, support for health facilities, Eid food distributions and direct financial and medical assistance.

Needs varied from one community to another, from families struggling to access food and medical care to children needing support to stay in school or recover from malnutrition.

Helping Children Recover from Severe Malnutrition

Severe acute malnutrition remains a serious threat to young children in Yemen. Even after receiving initial treatment, some children remain vulnerable because their families may not have enough nutritious food or access to regular follow-up care.

YRRF, in partnership with Zakat Foundation of America, continued a program that provides nutritional assistance and follow-up for six months after children are discharged from treatment. During the quarter, the program reached 700 children in six districts across Al-Hudaydah, Taiz and Al-Jawf, including 400 children in Al-Hudaydah and 150 each in Taiz and Al-Jawf.

Amal's Road Back to Health

Amal was one of the children reached through the program. She had already received treatment for severe malnutrition, but her condition had not improved as her family hoped. She returned to the camp in a very weak condition, carried by her older sister Shaimaa, while her family feared they might lose her.

Shaimaa took responsibility for much of Amal's care and followed the health guidance provided by the nutrition team. With continued nutritional support, follow-up and care at home, Amal gradually regained her strength and her smile returned. Her experience shows why continued support after the first stage of treatment can be important for children recovering from severe malnutrition.

Supporting Orphans and Their Families

YRRF also continued its orphan sponsorship program during the quarter, reaching 678 orphans across 14 governorates, including 375 boys and 303 girls. For many families, the loss of a parent also means the loss of an important source of household income, making expenses such as food, medicine, utilities and school costs increasingly difficult to manage.

The program also includes psychological and social support for orphaned children and their families. Counseling sessions, recreational activities and community activities give children opportunities to cope with loss and rebuild confidence, while mothers are given space to discuss the pressures they face as caregivers.

Abdulrahim Returns to School

Abdulrahim is a 13-year-old boy who lost his father suddenly to a heart attack. His mother was left caring for him and his three sisters, and the family struggled with debt, illness and inadequate access to basic utilities. Eventually, she could no longer afford Abdulrahim's school expenses and had to take him out of school.

Through sponsorship, his mother was able to cover basic household needs including food, water, electricity and medicine. Abdulrahim also returned to school with a new uniform and books and was once again able to spend time with his classmates. Despite everything his family has experienced, he continues to hold onto a simple childhood dream: one day owning a bicycle.

A New School for 200 Students in Raymah

Education was another focus during the quarter. In Al-Salafiyah District in Raymah Governorate, YRRF partnered with Rise for Yemen to build and furnish a new school for children in a remote community.

The school has three classrooms and serves around 200 students, both boys and girls. The classrooms were furnished with desks and chalkboards, and schoolbooks were provided so students could begin learning in a more suitable environment.

Children who previously had very limited school facilities now have a dedicated building where they can attend classes, giving 200 students in the community a better place to continue their education.

Keeping Health Centers Running During Power Outages

Reliable electricity remains a major challenge for health facilities in Yemen. When power is unavailable, health centers may struggle to refrigerate vaccines, operate medical equipment or continue emergency and maternity services.

During the quarter, YRRF provided four generators to health centers in Al-Hudaydah Governorate, serving communities in Jabal Ras, Al-Jarrahi, Al-Tuhaita, Zabid and Bayt Al-Faqih. Together, the facilities supported through this project serve an estimated 165,419 people.

The generators were put to use immediately. In Jabal Ras, uninterrupted electricity allowed doctors to save the life of a newborn, while in Al-Jarrahi, cooling systems continued operating so vaccines could be safely stored. In the Zabid and Bayt Al-Faqih area, electricity was available when a maternity ward received an emergency case involving a young mother, and in Al-Tuhaita the generator allowed the emergency room to continue operating during outages.

For these health centers, reliable electricity means that essential services can continue even when the wider power supply fails.

Eid al-Adha Food Distributions

YRRF also carried out its Udhiyah program during Eid al-Adha. Meat has become increasingly difficult for many families in Yemen to afford, including during Eid when sharing meat with family and neighbors is traditionally an important part of the holiday.

During the quarter, 89 Udhiyah sacrifices provided meat to 63,448 beneficiaries across 13 governorates. The distributions reached vulnerable households including displaced families, widows, orphans, elderly people and families living in severe poverty.

In Hays District, many of the families reached had been displaced from their homes and were living in makeshift shelters. The Eid distribution allowed families who otherwise may not have been able to purchase meat to prepare a holiday meal and spend time together. Children smiled, older family members offered prayers of gratitude and households gathered around meals they had not expected to have.

In Zabid District, the program reached more than 200 families living in extreme poverty. For households that had gone long periods without being able to purchase meat, the distribution provided food while also allowing families to take part in an important holiday tradition.

Financial and Medical Assistance

YRRF also responded to individual families facing urgent financial or medical needs. During the quarter, 13 beneficiaries across three governorates received this type of assistance, with nine receiving financial assistance and four receiving medical assistance.

These interventions were much smaller than some of YRRF's other programs, but they allowed the organization to respond to situations requiring immediate assistance. For families with very limited resources, a medical emergency or unexpected household expense can quickly become impossible to manage without outside support.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Humanitarian Relief for Yemen through GlobalGiving. Your support allows Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation to continue reaching children and families across Yemen.

With gratitude,
The YRRF Team