More Than Just a Roof: Transitional Shelter Becomes a Home for Aspiring Engineer and His Family

Ma'rib - Displaced from the conflict four years ago, nine-year-old Ali has grown up living in substandard conditions. Recently, a new type of shelter has brought his family a new home, and with it great relief.

“Our old shelter was getting old and started to fall apart over our heads. Our clothes, household items and food were covered with dust and dirt,” explained Abdullah, Ali’s father.

“It could not protect us from rain, the sun’s rays or wind. On the contrary, it became an ideal shelter for snakes, scorpions and other harmful insects.”

Today, Ali joyfully watched as a group of construction workers put the final touches on their new transitional shelter. They stabilized the poles that will support the shelter, placed the roof and installed protective isolation layers before handing over the new home to the family.

After two days of work, a new wooden shelter was standing up firmly in their patio next to their fragile old one.

When their old home in Raymah governorate came under attack four years ago, Ali, his parents and four siblings fled to Ma’rib governorate.

They eventually settled in Saylat Al Rumayla displacement site where their father built three small mud rooms for his family to shelter in.

“We never even thought of renting a house in Mar’ib City, we could’ve never afforded that. Everything in the city, including water, costs a lot of money,” explained Fatima, Ali’s mother.

“It is hard for displaced people anywhere they go, especially if they cannot afford a safe and secure shelter.”

Ali and his 13-year-old brother, Yasser, used to spend most of their time in one of the muddy rooms. Their room was not properly ventilated nor lit, and the room did not have a door.

What made it even harder for the family is that mud shelters often need constant servicing and restoration. A back injury prevented Ali’s father from maintaining this intense upkeep.

Based on feedback from communities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) identified shelter among the key needs in displacement sites in Ma’rib.

IOM, with support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), provided 850 families, including Ali’s family, with transitional shelters in six sites in Ma’rib to provide them with a dignified and safe living environment.

“Transitional shelters are an effective solution because of their flexibility in meeting the needs of displaced people. They remain in good shape for one to three years and can be upgraded over time,” explained Al Qudaimi Shoaib, a member of IOM’s shelter team.

Once the shelter was installed, Abdullah added to it one more coat of paint to ensure that the shelter is more resistant to the harsh environment in which they live.

“This shelter is a big relief. It protects us from rain and wind. The children feel safe and comfortable to study, sit, eat and sleep in their new home,” said Abdullah.

“What I like about the shelter is that there are two windows. It is sunny and always full of light. Windows are also covered with nets that keep mosquitoes and insects out,” said Ali, while explaining how he can sleep better now he is safe from mosquito bites.

As Ali watched the new shelter being constructed, it also inspired him to hope that one day he will help more people have safer houses, too.

“I want to be an engineer and to work with an organization to build homes for people in need,” added Ali.

Authors: Elham Al Oqabi and Mennatallah Homaid – IOM Yemen communication Assistants