Recent UN data has shown notable indicators of improvement in several Yemeni governorates under the control of the internationally recognized government, recording the return of more than two million displaced persons to their original areas. This development reflects a relative decline in internal displacement waves but also highlights significant challenges related to reintegrating returnees, securing basic services, and ensuring they are not forced to flee again.

The International Organization for Migration, in a field assessment conducted during April and May, revealed the return of approximately 2.105 million Yemeni displaced persons, representing nearly 298,000 families, to accessible areas in governorates under the influence of the legitimate government, confirming that this return is one of the largest internal population movements the country has witnessed in recent years.

The report indicated that Taiz governorate (southwest) received the largest share of returnees, hosting about 783,000 people, equivalent to 37.2 percent of the total returnees. This reflects the scale of displacement the governorate experienced during the war years, as well as the desire of many families to return after a relative improvement in security and service conditions.

The temporary Yemeni capital Aden (south) ranked second, receiving about 647,000 returnees, or about 31 percent of the total. Ad Dali' governorate (south) came third with about 151,000 returnees, followed by Shabwah with more than 118,000, then Lahij (south) with about 115,000, while about 268,000 people were distributed among the remaining governorates covered by the assessment.

84% of Yemeni displaced persons returned to their areas due to improved conditions (United Nations)

The survey results showed that 84 percent of Yemeni returnees, about 1.77 million people, confirmed that improved conditions in their original areas were the main reason behind the decision to return. This reflects the impact of relative improvement in security stability and the availability of minimum living conditions in encouraging families to leave displacement sites.

In contrast, about 293,000 Yemeni displaced persons, representing 14 percent of total returnees, stated that the deterioration of economic and service conditions in their displacement areas forced them to return, even if their original areas still faced major challenges. The report also recorded other motives for return, albeit in limited proportions, including the desire to reunite families or being evicted from displacement sites.

Despite these positive indicators, the International Organization for Migration stressed that the majority of returnees still need urgent humanitarian assistance, along with early recovery programs and rehabilitation of basic services, to ensure their stability and prevent renewed displacement waves in the future.

Post-Return Challenges

Relief organizations believe that the success of return is measured not only by the number of returnees, but also by the capacity of receiving areas to absorb them and provide the minimum requirements for life, including job opportunities, healthcare, education, and infrastructure repair, especially in Yemeni governorates that suffered extensive damage during the conflict years.

With the school year approaching, parents in #AlKhawkhah #Yemen are preparing for their children's return to school✏️These cash assistance #CashPlus will help families cover basic school needs and prepare children for school.Thanks to the support from @ECHO_MiddleEast https://t.co/7AisaZyqIC

— UNICEF Yemen (@UNICEF_Yemen) July 2, 2026

Humanitarian workers confirm that many returning families face difficult living conditions due to damage to their homes or loss of income sources, making continued international support a key factor in ensuring that the return becomes permanent stability rather than a temporary stop before a new wave of displacement.

These data also indicate a gradual shift in the nature of the humanitarian response, from focusing on displacement management to supporting recovery and rebuilding local communities, which requires greater coordination between the government, international organizations, and donors.

UN Program to Support Children's Education

In the context of efforts to support the stability of returning families, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced the completion of the first phase of a new program aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for more than 10,000 children in Al Khawkhah district of Hodeidah governorate, through direct cash assistance to families, along with a package of educational and social protection interventions.

The organization stated that it disbursed the first installment of cash assistance to about 1,967 families during the last two weeks of June, as part of a project funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, which aims to reduce school dropout rates and encourage children to continue their education.

Rehabilitation of schools and distribution of school bags as part of a UN program in Yemen (United Nations)

The program runs for 10 months and benefits 10,250 children from the most needy groups, through remedial education, provision of alternative educational opportunities, implementation of back-to-school campaigns, as well as awareness activities aimed at encouraging families to ensure their children continue their education.

The program also includes rehabilitation of school buildings, teacher training, provision of bags and school supplies, along with child protection services and social support, which alleviates the economic burden on families and removes the main obstacles preventing children from attending school regularly.

UNICEF confirmed that it is preparing to implement a second round of cash assistance before the start of the new school year in September, covering about 2,100 families, including those who benefited from the first installment, as well as new families whose children will join first grade for the first time.

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