Life in Gawl Al-Sada Camp, Yemen

Human Wrongs Watch By the Norwegian Refugee Council*

Mohammed, a 45-year-old fisherman, was forced to flee his home in Hodeidah six years ago due to the conflict in Yemen. Seeking safety, he settled in Gawl Al-Sada camp in Abyan governorate, where 115 displaced families now live.

 

As a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium, and with funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) helped Mohammed’s family and 163 other families access clean water by rehabilitating the water system and constructing two new water points.

The photos below illustrate how Mohammed navigates daily life in the camp and highlight the essential role of NRC’s support in aiding communities in need.

For most families in the Gawl Al-Sada camp, income from banana farming is their main livelihood, and their makeshift shelters are built from wilted banana leaves and tarpaulins.

Mohammed sits with his two children inside their makeshift shelter. One of them was born in displacement and has never known their ancestral home.

Fire poses a constant threat for those living in displacement camps. To help mitigate this risk, NRC provided 94 families with fire extinguishers and regularly inspects them to ensure they are in proper working order.

Mohammed purchased a fridge and started selling fresh fish to other families within the camp. “I go to the sea every day to buy fresh fish and sell it the same day,” he explains. ‘This business has now become the primary source of income for my family.”

With high demand for fresh fish, Mohammed now plans to expand by selling vegetables as well. “Living within the camp, I understand my neighbours’ needs,” he says. “I will strive to develop my business to meet them.”

Raising livestock is a common livelihood for many displaced families, including Mohammed. “Before Eid I will sell sheep to provide my family with new clothes and sweets,” he says. “When work is scarce, I may also sell the sheep to cover our daily needs.”

In the afternoons, Mohammed works as a motorcycle courier in the market. “One income stream isn’t enough for our family,” he explains. “We need to diversify our earnings so that if one source dries up, we still have others to rely on.”

With funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, NRC provided two water tanks and regular maintenance at the water points, ensuring access to clean water for Mohammed and other families in the Gawl Al-Sada site. Mohammed shared that, thanks to this support, his family now has enough clean water.

In December 2024, following the eviction of another nearby site, 21 additional families arrived at the Gawl Al-Sada camp. Despite the new water tanks, there was not enough water to meet the needs of all the new residents.

In response, NRC rehabilitated a water well at the camp, ensuring sufficient water for residents. Additionally, this well was connected to the nearby Gawl Sinan site, providing clean water to 49 displaced families.

As a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium, and with funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, NRC supported 164 families with clean water through water system rehabilitations and the construction of two new water points.

Thanks to these funds, NRC also constructed 17 new latrines at the Gawl Al-Sada site, distributed 110 hygiene kits and conducted hygiene awareness activities.

With additional funding, NRC provided Mohammed with cash assistance, helping him develop his business.

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*SOURCE: The Norwegian Refugee Council. Go to ORIGINAL: https://www.nrc.no/feature/2025/life-in-gawl-al-sada-camp 2025 Human Wrongs Watch

Source: https://human-wrongs-watch.net/2025/03/06/life-in-gawl-al-sada-camp-yemen/