Yemen has been facing a severe humanitarian crisis for nearly a decade. The internal conflict, which began in 2014 and has never fully ceased, has forced millions of people to flee their homes, either to other areas within the country or across its borders. The high number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) significantly broadens the scope of humanitarian action. In the Al-Rybat displacement camp, with the support of the European Union, we provide medical care, psychosocial support, and financial aid to many families who have lost everything.
Sometimes, the stability of an entire lifetime can crumble in an instant. For Walaa, originally from the Al-Hudaydah Governorate in Yemen, life was built on daily routines and certainties: a safe home, the love of her children, and a husband whose work provided everything the family needed. Then, the escalation of the conflict turned that normalcy into a desperate flight for safety.
Alongside her loved ones, Walaa was forced to abandon everything to seek refuge in Aden, in the South of Yemen, settling in the Al-Rybat camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In this precarious new reality, her husband tried to support the family by working as a day laborer—until a severe workplace accident changed everything again. A deep injury to his knee ligaments left him dependent on crutches and unable to perform any physical labor.
With no income, children facing malnutrition, and a context of extreme poverty, Walaa found herself facing a choice as forced as it was painful: begging on the streets. It was her darkest hour. Exposed to constant risks, harassment, and a heavy psychological burden, Walaa’s safety and dignity seemed lost to the streets.
In this scenario of extreme vulnerability, the INTERSOS protection team intervened, thanks to support from the European Union. A case management plan was launched to begin her recovery.
We provided her with psychological support, pairing her with a specialist to process her trauma, rebuild her self-esteem, and develop coping mechanisms to protect herself from exploitation. Furthermore, through emergency cash assistance, the family was able to cover their immediate basic needs, allowing Walaa to stop begging and move out of harm’s way.
Driven by her determination and her previous skills, Walaa began producing and selling incense and traditional fragrances. In a short time, the quality of her craft created a sustainable source of income for her and her family. Additionally, using the economic support from INTERSOS, Walaa was able to purchase a used motorbike. By renting it out to another camp resident when needed, she has secured a steady financial supplement for her household.
Today, Walaa’s home is once again a place of safety. She is no longer forced to face the dangers of the street; she has reclaimed control over her life and her children’s upbringing. Her story is a testament to how timely protection interventions can transform vulnerability into strength, restoring not just a woman’s means of survival, but her right to live with dignity.
This story is part of a broader intervention funded by the European Union. The project aims to reach 50,771 vulnerable individuals with integrated, life-saving assistance, including protection, health, nutrition, and WASH services, specifically targeting conflict- and displacement-affected communities in Hajjah, Aden, and Lahj governorates, with a focus on the most marginalized populations.