The Role of Multipurpose Cash Assistance in Yemen's Conflict Recovery
Posted on 30 Jun 2024
Yemen stands at a pivotal juncture. It has been nine years since the conflict began and over a year since the truce expired. However, recent regional conflicts have introduced new risks, ensuring that humanitarian needs will remain high for the foreseeable future.
Yemen faces a multifaceted protection crisis, marked by civilian casualties, prolonged large-scale displacement, marginalization, and discriminatory norms.
These issues have driven many Yemenis to adopt desperate coping mechanisms, such as accumulating debt, skipping meals, or selling household items to survive.
Ezzat Shaddad/ M.Barroq Communication
Hasan Al Shtheli and his family are among the countless Yemenis forced from their homes, ultimately finding refuge in Beer Fadhel near Aden after multiple displacements.
"In our village, it was not only my family who fled due to the conflict; almost the entire village had to leave," Hasan recalls.
"We were living a good life. I was a farmer, and we used to get our food from our harvest, covering all our essential needs."
Displacement profoundly affects children, causing shock and trauma. Parents often prioritize their children's needs over their own, especially during festive seasons like Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha, to help them feel equal to their peers despite their circumstances.
To address these dire situations, the Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY), funded by the European Union (EU) and hosted by the Danish Refugee Council, has been implementing life-saving humanitarian interventions across 13 Yemeni governorates, including Aden governorate in South Yemen, covered by Acted, a CCY partner.
The CCY program delivers multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) and resilience-building support to vulnerable households. This flexible aid allows families to address their most pressing needs with dignity.
When you leave your home, you lose everything and don't know how to manage daily life, especially without a job,
/ Hasan, a displace man in Yemen
Hasan and his family were identified by Acted as one of the most vulnerable families in the area, making them eligible for three months of MPCA. "When you leave your home, you lose everything and don't know how to manage daily life, especially without a job," Hasan explains. "The cash assistance from Acted was crucial for us, particularly as we dealt with the conflict's shock and its impact on our children. It helped us cover our basic needs, making our children feel better and happier. Their happiness is my happiness."
The EU-funded program has significantly bolstered resilience in Yemen, helping conflict-affected households recover and establish a foundation for a better future. "Thanks to ACTED and the EU for providing such assistance to vulnerable communities in Yemen," Hasan continues. "With this assistance, we can stand back on our feet and start building a better future for our children."
The impact of CCY's MPCA program is evident, with a remarkable increase in the food consumption score across the 13 governorates in Yemen. Before receiving cash assistance, the score was 32%, but it rose to 85.6% after the MPCA distribution. This improvement highlights the program's effectiveness in addressing the immediate needs of Yemen's most vulnerable families and setting the stage for a more hopeful future.
