A reason to smile: Qurbani in Yemen  

In 2025, Islamic Relief distributed qurbani meat packs and Eid gifts across Yemen, bringing joy and relief to families in need.

50-year-old Saltanah struggles to get by in a country devastated by more than a decade of conflict.

“Most days, we eat yogurt because it’s all we can afford,” says Saltanah, who has 6 young children.

“We can’t even afford even drinking water. Everything is too expensive.

“Access to food, clean water, and basic needs is a daily struggle. My children go to school, but our overall quality of life is extremely poor.”

Poor nutrition, including insufficient protein intake, has taken its toll. “I suffer from many illnesses and can’t work. The lack of proper nutrition has weakened my health and makes daily life even harder.”

“It brought us joy and allowed my children to eat something they never get the chance to. It restored some of our dignity and gave us a reason to smile during Eid.”

This year, we delivered meat packs to more than 9,900 families across 5 governorates including Hodeida, Taiz, Aden Saddah and Dhamar.

Priority was given to those most in need, including people with disabilities, chronic illnesses or cancer, as well as the families of orphaned children.  

Fostering the joy of Eid

Umm Mohammed lives in Al Zafaran, Hodeida.

After her husband passed away, she became responsible for providing for her 6 children.

Umm Mohammed’s eldest son is just 17 and helps as much as he can. Without a fixed job, he takes whatever work he can find, including carrying things for people or cleaning the masjid.

Amid this hardship, Islamic Relief helped create a joyous moment for Umm Mohammed’s family, who were among 1,668 orphans, young cancer patients, and children suffering from kidney failure in Sana’a and Hodeida to receive Eid gifts.

“Eid means family, togetherness, and joy. Especially after losing their father, I want to make sure my children still feel the warmth of the occasion,” says Umm Mohammed.

This is the second year that Umm Mohammed’s children have received Eid clothes from Islamic Relief.

“Islamic Relief is the only organisation that distributes meat and helps families like mine during Eid. The support they provide brings happiness to many families in our area.

“You can truly see the joy in the children’s faces when they get to experience Eid fully –clothes, food, and celebration,” Umm Mohammed says happily.

“Before, we had received only 1 food basket from another organisation, but Islamic Relief is the one that has consistently helped us – with meat, clothes, cash, and other support.

“May Allah bless Islamic Relief. You bring light into our lives when things feel dark, and I truly appreciate every bit of support we receive.”

Thanks to your generous support, Islamic Relief has been able to help spread the joy of Eid. Please donate today to allow us to continue supporting those in need in Yemen.