The protracted displacement coupled with the socio-economic situation continued to have a devastating effect on the housing sector, livelihood as well as basic services in Yemen. In 2023, an estimated 7.5 million people required shelter and non-food items (Basic household items) assistance. Despite the huge need, only 3.3 million individuals were targeted with $250 million planned due to funding challenges coupled with new displacement... However, only 32% of total funding was received allowing shelter assistance to 950 thousand people (29%) of the targets. As a result, emergency lifesaving shelter/NFI responses and pre-positioning of stocks in key governates were prioritized which, facilitated timely response to 741 K. Of the assistance provided, 224K people assisted with mid/long-term assistance helping the Cluster achieve the following target for 2023 HRP target: 15% of transitional shelter, 30% of shelter maintenance and upgrade, and 27% of house rehabilitation and reconstruction. Thanks to the generosity of the Donors and the following partners who contributed to the Shelter/NFI response in 2023: UNHCR, KSRELIEF, IOM, YGUSSWP, NRC, DRC, YRCS, TYF, AOBWC, ACTED, QRCS and UN-Habitat.

This funding shortfall compounded with the lack of livelihood and HLP issues, further exacerbated the living conditions of most vulnerable households exposing them to heightening protection and environmental risks. These include 29% of IDPs in makeshift shelters made of worn-out clothes, 39% situated in flood-prone conditions, 49% without basic household items, 85% at risk of eviction due to unfordable rent, 15% expose to extreme weather conditions while 32% of the returnees are in their partially damaged houses.

Additionally, the need to provide safer and more dignified shelters cannot be overemphasized in achieving Humanitarian Peace and Development (HDP-Nexus to break the cycle of continual emergency response and deliver sustainable solutions in a more environmentally friendly manner. The Shelter Cluster continues to advocate for safer and dignified shelters as a transitional solution to enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable households until a longer-term shelter solution is found through a settlement or area-based approach. This is in line with the Shelter Cluster 2024 Objective two and the Humanitarian Response Plan Strategic Objective (SO 2).