Aden, (February, 15, 2025) – In Yemen, climate displacement profoundly disrupts lives overnight, placing internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the forefront of climate vulnerability and disproportionately affected by climate change. Despite their minimal contribution to climate change exacerbation, frontline communities IDPs are the most affected by its ongoing impacts.
The extreme weather events in Yemen from 2015 to 2024 have clearly illustrated that climate change has exacerbated humanitarian crises within conflict-affected communities. Throughout this period, climatic events–including cyclones, heavy rains, floods, droughts, and landslides–have significantly contributed to environmental degradation and the deterioration of natural resources amid ongoing armed conflict. These interconnected factors have accelerated the rate of displacement, both in affected communities and among already displaced populations. The nexus between environmental degradation, climate change, and conflict intensifies the multiplier effects that perpetuate the crisis over the long run.
The significance of this study lies in its being one of the first case studies that examine the impact of climate change on internal displacement in Yemen, specifically focusing on the governorates of Marib, Hajjah, Al Maharah and Socotra. Prior to this research, no comprehensive studies have been conducted on the impact of climate change-induced displacement in these particular areas. The importance of the study is also reflected in its subject, which may make this study a new qualitative addition to increased understanding of the impact of climate change on internal displacement in Yemen.
To understand the displacement and climate change related to natural resources, this study aimed to identify the impact of climate change on IDPs in Yemen and to investigate the relationship between climate change and internal displacement in the country. It sought to understand the causes and factors from stakeholders’ perspectives, as well as to comprehend the direct climate impacts and the cumulative compounding effects of climate change on IDPs.
The study concluded that a correlation exists between climate change and internal displacement in Yemen, emphasizing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on IDPs. These climate effects, combined with conflict and environmental degradation, have exacerbated various multiplier effects on IDPs and local communities, leading to intensified social tensions, and threats to the livelihoods of frontline communities, particularly the IDPs.
Furthermore, the study identified several systemic and structural factors that intensify climate risks for vulnerable groups within the surveyed communities. It also highlighted gaps in the responses of relevant actors to climate emergencies. To address these issues, the study provided recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and donors aimed at facilitating climate reforms in Yemen that promote early disaster preparedness. Such measures could enhance response efforts and improve displacement management, ultimately strengthening the adaptation and resilience of frontline communities to these challenges.
Study Overview:
This study examines the impact of climate change on IDPs in Yemen across six chapters, focusing on IDPs in Marib, Hajjah, Al-Maharah, and Socotra. The study begins with an introduction briefly outlining the general framework of the study, including its significance, objectives, and scope. The Second Chapter details the study methodology, approaches and methods, data collection tools, and the study population and sample size.
The Third Chapter of the study provides a theoretical framework for climate change and internal displacement based on previous studies and reports, covering seven key themes, beginning with a general overview of climate change and internal displacement. The second theme explores the role of conflict and climate in driving environmental degradation and exacerbating social tensions in Yemen. The third theme provides an overview of climate-induced displacement in the country, while the fourth one summarizes critical climatic disasters contributing to displacement, including cyclones, storms, torrential rains, floods, desertification, sand dune encroachment, landslides, and rockslides. The fifth theme is a review on displacement and the outbreak of climate-related epidemics. The sixth analyzes national laws and policies addressing displacement and climatic and environmental issues, while the seventh one discusses the data gap in Yemen.
The Fourth Chapter of the study examines the impact of climate change on IDPs in Yemen, utilizing comprehensive field data, including questionnaire responses, qualitative interview findings, focus group observations, and data analysis. The chapter is organized into ten key topics. The first provides a general overview of the studied governorates-Marib, Hajjah, Al-Maharah, and Socotra. The second topic explores the key drivers of internal displacement, focusing on climate-related drivers. The third assesses the level of awareness among the IDPs regarding climate change. The fourth one identifies the most serious climate challenges faced by IDPs in camps, while the fifth investigates the direct impacts of climate change, particularly severe storms, and floods. The sixth topic highlights the cascading and compounding effects of climate change on IDP communities in the four studied governorates. The seventh discusses systemic factors that exacerbate climate risks for vulnerable communities. The eighth evaluates IDPs’ adaptation strategies to cope with changing climatic condition. The ninth topic examines the role of key actors, including local authorities, EXUIDPs, and international relief organizations, as perceived by respondents, along with their expectations of donors. Finally, the tenth topic addresses the future climate threats as perceived by IDPs.
Additionally, the Fifth Chapter presents the findings of the study and their interpretation. The Sixth Chapter offers a set of actionable recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, UN agencies, and donors, aiming to enhance adaptation, improve disaster response, and effectively manage displacement challenges in Yemen.
Author(s); Mohammed Al-Hakimi, Amani Mohammed, and Maha Al-Salehi.
Publisher: Holm Akhdar for Environmental Studies & Consultancy
Languages; English.
This study was carried out by Holm Akhdar for Environmental Studies & Consultancy with the support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) through the Embassy of Switzerland to Oman and Yemen.
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