Rebuilding Stability: EU-Funded Transitional Shelters for Displaced Families in Al Dhale’e, Yemen

Country: Yemen Source: Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development Transitional shelters at Al-A’dae’n site, Al Dhalee district, Al Dhalee governorate, July 2026 We were exposed to rain, wind, heat, and cold. We never felt safe because our shelter had no proper doors or windows. Marwan* For Marwan*, a father of three displaced from Batar village in Qa’atabah District, this was everyday life after conflict forced his family to flee their home. Seeking safety in Al-A’dae’n displacement site in Al Dhale’e Governorate, he and his family found themselves living in a fragile makeshift shelter that offered little protection from harsh weather or insecurity. Like many displaced families, they spent months trying to rebuild their lives while facing constant uncertainty. After more than a decade of conflict, Yemen remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. More than 5.2 million people remain displaced, many living in overcrowded or makeshift shelters with limited protection from extreme weather and other risks. In Al Dhale’e Governorate, repeated displacement has left many families dependent on humanitarian assistance to restore safety, privacy, and dignity. Displacement in Al Dhale'e: Living with Uncertainty and Exposure l-A’dae’n displacement site, where families displaced by conflict sought safety after fleeing frontline areas, Al Dhalee district, Al Dhalee governorate, July 2026 Prolonged armed conflict in Qa’atabah District forced entire communities to flee frontline villages such as Batar in search of safety. Many families found refuge in informal hosting sites such as Al-A’dae’n, where they arrived with few belongings and no secure place to live. Upon arrival, displaced households faced severe living conditions. Without steady incomes or adequate housing, many lived in makeshift tents or abandoned structures near active frontlines. These improvised shelters offered little protection from heavy rains, intense heat, or cold winds and lacked even the most basic sense of security. Families endured severe physical exposure and constant psychological strain. The absence of lockable doors, windows, and secure walls posed major protection risks, especially for women and children. In addition to harsh weather, the site’s location near open land exposed families to constant safety risks from snakes and other wild animals at night. Our biggest fears included wild animals. Because our shelter was insecure without doors or lockable entrances, we felt completely vulnerable. I used to stay awake all night guarding my wife and children inside the tent, only sleeping during the daylight hours. Marwan For female-headed households and mothers in the site, the loss of basic privacy and domestic security compounded the stress of displacement. When we were forced to leave our homes, we reached abandoned chicken farms near the frontline with no food, shelter, or bedding. Living without a secure shelter was extremely exhausting, especially during heavy rain and cold weather... It meant a complete lack of privacy and protection for our family. Salma*, a mother of five living in the site From Temporary Shelter to Lasting Safety Construction of transitional shelters at Al-A’dae’n site, Al Dhalee district, Al Dhalee governorate, March 2026 In response to critical shelter needs, Acted, with funding from the European Union, implemented a transitional shelter (T-shelter) programme in Al Dhale’e, targeting vulnerable displaced households across the Al-A’dae’n, Assaqa, Habeel Al-Dawhagah, Ghowl Mohaisen and Sanah sites. The intervention reached 396 people, helping vulnerable families move from inadequate emergency shelters into durable, secure, and dignified transitional shelters designed to withstand local environmental conditions. For families like Marwan’s and Salma’s, the new shelters meant more than improved housing—they provided a renewed sense of safety, privacy, and hope for the future. When we received the transitional shelter, I felt a level of joy that I cannot describe. My family and children were overwhelmed with relief. Marwan It was a wonderful moment. [Receiving the shelter] brought genuine happiness to the women and children who had been living through very difficult conditions. Salma Restoring Dignity and Looking Ahead T-shelters with lockable entrances and windows, Al-A’dae’n site, Al Dhalee district, Al Dhalee governorate, May 2026 With durable structures now protecting families against harsh weather and lockable entrances ensuring household privacy, beneficiaries see a notable reduction in daily anxiety and a restored sense of stability. We now feel safe and can sleep through the night without constant worry. We are protected from the wind and rain, and we can securely store our personal belongings inside the shelter without fear of theft. Now that our shelter is stable, my main focus is to look for work to cover the basic needs of my family." Marwan The main change is the psychological stability and safety it has brought to the children. Having a secure home allows us to focus our energy on securing daily food and necessities for the household. Salma Salma outside her T-shelter, Al-A’dae’n site, Al Dhalee district, Al Dhale'e governorate, July 2026 Funded by the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations and implemented through the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium, the project “Improving Living Conditions and Supporting Durable Solutions for Displacement-Affected Communities Across Yemen” is helping displaced families rebuild safer and more dignified lives. Through a comprehensive package of assistance—including site management, flood preparedness, transitional shelters (T-shelters), essential non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, and protection services—Acted supports more than 89,300 vulnerable people across Al Dhale’e, Marib, Aden, Hodeidah, Abyan, and Saadah. *Names of beneficiaries have been changed to protect their privacy.
2026-08-07 13:33:07