Ali Al-Mahbashi, a seasonal project assistant in Yemen, shares the joys and challenges of providing food aid to Yemeni families in desperate need during Ramadan amid the highly challenging context of humanitarian work in Yemen.

When I began my journey in the humanitarian sector as a volunteer at Islamic Relief, I expected it would be an easy job… I didn’t know any better at the time. I thought most people could easily meet their basic needs and go about their daily lives without struggling.

But soon after starting, I discovered that many people – men, women, and especially children – are going to bed not just hungry, but starving. They are cold and sometimes living without even a proper shelter over their heads. This harsh reality hit me like a slap in the face, it was a huge wake up call.

I thought about how vulnerable the communities Islamic Relief serves are, and about who – after Allah – will support these people, if not us. In a moment of clarity, I realised that Allah had guided me to be part of the humanitarian effort that can alleviate even the slightest bit of their suffering, and this is what has kept me going for the last 7 years.

Each Ramadan, we set out to deliver food parcels. This distribution is not only a humanitarian initiative, but also a symbol of unity and hope. We know that many people look forward to receiving this support each year, and that, for some families, it can be the difference between going hungry or not.

Unforgettable moments

During a delivery last year, the team met a mother who had come to pick up a food parcel. As we chatted with her, we learned that all of her 5 children had disabilities. This overworked mother was bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders and carrying that burden alone. As we spoke, her eyes shone with a combination of thankfulness and sadness, as if silently whispering, “Thank you for not forgetting us.”

In most of the regions we visited, we discovered that many Yemeni workers had not received their salaries for years, but they kept working regardless. Whether it was teachers in schools, doctors in hospitals, or people working in other occupations, they just kept going, not because they were being paid for their hard work, but because they knew it was essential to keeping life going amid the crisis in our country. They would not allow life to come to an end.

These encounters motivated and moved me to be part of this sublime message and duty. But I also felt strongly that, were I to walk away from this need, I’d be turning my back on my own people – especially those who needed me most. I put myself in their shoes and knew I needed to keep doing humanitarian work.

Balancing urgency and commitment

Getting the food parcels ready for Ramadan and into the hands of the people we serve can be challenging. We work to very tight deadlines to get everything done on time and there’s a lot of work outside in the heat and sun, including crowd control at distribution sites.

Aiming to carry out distributions in 8 provinces also brings logistical challenges around transportation and set up, as each location has its own unique conditions. Liaising with authorities and securing the required permits takes a lot of time and effort and is fundamental to the success of the project.

It’s a lot of work for our small team, but just knowing families are going home with smiles on their faces makes it all worth it.

Unshakeable commitment despite major challenges

With the World Food Programme (WFP)’s distributions suspended at such a critical time, and a massive shortage in funding, humanitarian organisations in Yemen are shouldering the heavy burden of providing lifesaving food aid. Islamic Relief has remained committed to the communities we serve, looking for alternative support and projects to cover the gap that the shrinking of the WFP operation has created. We have been pursuing every avenue to secure funding, and doing all we can to keep providing for as many people as possible during Ramadan, the month of mercy.

We know the needs are greater than our capacity to meet them, yet we believe every effort matters. Giving up is not an option – families are waiting for us, and children are longing for support to come their way. That is why, despite all the hurdles, we persevere, optimising the limited resources at our disposal to ensure the communities we serve get the support they need this holy month.

Throughout the struggles, the human connection we make with the people we serve makes it all worth it. In Yemen, people always make time for gratitude and kindness, even during the toughest of times. Some of the people we serve insist that we eat with them during iftar, even if they have nothing. Others drop by to pick up their parcels with humble meals for us – not because they can afford to, but because they want to share what little they have with us.

We are here to help them

No matter what, Islamic Relief’s seasonal team in Yemen will continue seeking ways to offer Ramadan aid to people in desperate need. Not just because they need it so desperately, but because they deserve to be able to observe Ramadan, just like Muslims the rest of the world over. And to feel like they have not been abandoned. In the end, we may be the ones distributing food, but they are the ones teaching us the real meaning of patience, generosity, and gratitude.

Please help us to continue supporting communities in Yemen through Ramadan and beyond. Donate to our Yemen emergency appeal today.