Tue Feb 24 19:12:47 UTC 2026: ### Generations of Somali Refugees in Yemen Face Poverty and Identity Crisis Amidst Declining Aid

The Story:
In Aden, Yemen, the al-Basateen district, also known as “Yemen’s Mogadishu,” is home to tens of thousands of Somali refugees who fled civil war in the 1990s. These refugees and their descendants live in extreme poverty, struggling with unemployment, lack of basic services, and an unresolved legal status. While the first generation retains memories of Somalia, later generations born in Yemen grapple with a sense of “suspended belonging,” lacking Yemeni identity while only knowing Somalia through stories. The situation has worsened due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war since 2014 and declining humanitarian aid.

Key Points:

  • Al-Basateen’s population is estimated at over 40,000, with Somalis forming the majority.
  • Residents face extreme poverty due to lack of regular work and declining humanitarian aid. Many live on less than $3 a day.
  • Many children are forced into labor, sifting through waste to support their families.
  • The first generation of refugees remembers Somalia, while subsequent generations born in Yemen lack a sense of belonging to either country.
  • Yemen hosts over 61,000 asylum seekers and refugees as of July 2025, mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia.
  • Conditions have worsened since the Yemeni civil war began in 2014, with funding for support programs meeting only 25 percent of the country’s actual needs in 2025.
  • Some refugees are attempting to use Yemen as a transit point to reach wealthier countries like Saudi Arabia, facing dangerous journeys and potential violence.

Critical Analysis:
The events are happening because of the confluence of several factors: the legacy of the Somali civil war in the 1990s, the ongoing Yemeni civil war, and the broader global refugee crisis. The combination of these factors creates a situation where Somali refugees in Yemen are caught in a protracted state of vulnerability, exacerbated by declining international aid and limited opportunities for integration or resettlement. The fact that Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula to sign the 1951 Refugee Convention highlights its relative openness to refugees, but its own instability and poverty undermine its capacity to provide adequate support. The reference to the US ending temporary protected status for Yemeni refugees, asylum seekers in a related article further underscores the precarity of refugee status and the shifting international landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  • Protracted refugee situations lead to complex issues of identity and belonging for subsequent generations.
  • Conflict and instability in host countries severely impact the well-being of refugees.
  • Declining humanitarian aid exacerbates poverty and vulnerability among refugee populations.
  • Yemen’s unique position as a signatory to the Refugee Convention amidst regional instability creates a complex humanitarian challenge.
  • The desperate attempts of refugees to use Yemen as a transit point highlight the global search for safety and opportunity.

Impact Analysis:

The situation in al-Basateen has long-term implications. The lack of economic opportunity and legal status for Somali refugees in Yemen perpetuates a cycle of poverty and marginalization. The identity crisis faced by second and third-generation refugees could lead to social unrest and further instability. The ongoing Yemeni civil war makes it unlikely that the situation will improve in the near future, and the declining aid suggests that international support is waning. The long-term impact could include increased radicalization, further migration attempts, and a continued humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Read More