Source: International Organization for Migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a new Community Response Point (CRP) in Hays, Yemen, to aid in the country’s escalating displacement crisis. Located south of Al-Hodeidah Governorate, this facility aims to support around 500 displaced families with tailored protection services, particularly for those with specific vulnerabilities.

Matt Huber, IOM’s Acting Chief of Mission in Yemen, emphasized the center’s role in providing immediate and continuous support to help families rebuild their lives amidst nearly a decade of conflict. Yemen currently faces a severe displacement crisis with over 18.2 million people needing humanitarian aid in 2024.

The CRP in Hays offers a range of services including case management, protection monitoring, psychosocial support, legal referrals, and assistance with shelter and sanitation. It operates through a Community-Based Protection approach, engaging with local Community Protection Committees in various locations to identify and refer cases, enhancing community self-protection.

The initiative not only addresses immediate humanitarian needs but also focuses on long-term resilience through community-led activities, mental health support, and enhancing safety through improved infrastructure like lighting. IOM’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to expand such services to other affected areas like Ma’rib and the West Coast, where humanitarian support is critically needed.

Supported by EU Humanitarian Aid and USAID, IOM’s work in Yemen underscores the need for continued international assistance to manage and mitigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis, aiming to restore dignity and provide practical support to those impacted by the prolonged conflict.