Ali, 27, a father of six, was forced to flee his home for the second time due to the conflict.
Escalating armed violence and the impacts of climate change have driven repeated displacement, pushing families into hard-to-reach areas with limited access to assistance. In the critical first 72 hours of displacement, newly uprooted populations often lack essential services such as food, clean water, shelter, and hygiene facilities (Source: Humanitarian Needs Response Plan).
For Ali, his difficult journey ended in Al-Radha camp in Hajjah Governorate, where he and his family arrived with almost nothing—not even the most basic needs. Displacement had stripped Ali and his family of all means of survival, including safe shelter. Upon arriving at the camp, they were given a torn tarpaulin and scraps of fabric—materials that offered little protection from harsh weather, insects, or reptiles. This marked yet another precarious beginning in a camp crowded with families facing similar conditions to those of Ali’s.
Describing the harshness of their situation, Ali said, “Displacement takes everything from you. You are left with nothing to protect you from the extreme weather. The tarpaulin shielded us from neither the scorching summer heat nor the bitter winter cold—and, most importantly, it wasn’t safe for my children. During the rainy season, my children fell sick again and again because of the cold.”
What pained Ali most was the lack of privacy in the densely populated camp—a particularly difficult reality for his conservative community, which had never experienced such living conditions before.
Displacement takes everything from you. You are left with nothing to protect you from the extreme weather. The tarpaulin shielded us from neither the scorching summer heat nor the bitter winter cold—and, most importantly, it wasn’t safe for my children. During the rainy season, my children fell sick again and again because of the cold.
/ Ali one of the IDPs at Al-Radha Camp, Hajja governorate, Yemen.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) conducted a detailed assessment of Al-Radha camp—one of the largest camps in Abs District—hosting approximately 587 displaced families (around 3,000 individuals), majority of them are women. Based on identified needs and vulnerability criteria, the camp was prioritized for intervention.
With funding from the European Union (EU), DRC—a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) consortium—provided 140 transitional shelters and rehabilitated 123 damaged shelters for the most vulnerable households through September 2025. In addition, 400 non-food item kits were distributed to address families’ immediate needs, with support continuing until the end of the project.
Now, Al-Radha is one of 14 camps managed by DRC in Abs District and among the largest in terms of displaced population.
Expressing his gratitude, Ali said, “We desperately needed proper shelter to regain privacy and stability. Thanks to DRC, our living conditions have improved, and we are now living much better.”
Site planning for the shelters was carefully carried out to reduce floods and fire risks and to ensure families were located close to essential services such as schools and markets.
Despite the impact of this intervention in restoring safety and dignity to Ali’s family, significant needs remain in the camp.
Ali concluded, “Even with the organisation’s support, we still have other needs, such as food assistance and cash support. I hope our country will one day return to peace, and that we can finally go back to our homes after this long journey of displacement.”
Left photo: Al-Radha Camp, Hajjah Governorate, September 2025. Photo by: Reyad Al Qudami. Right photo: Ali closing the door of his shelter at Al-Radha Camp, Hajjah Governorate, September 2025. Photo by: Reyad Al Qudami.
