Standing with families in forgotten crises

Since her husband died four years ago, Safiyah has carried the heavy responsibility of raising her eight children alone. She relied on the support of others in her community – many of whom faced the same daily stresses and challenges that she did.

In the midst of overlapping crises, it was the lack of water that dominated her life. “Every morning and evening me and my daughter had to travel four hours to fetch drinking water for our family,” she recalls. At times, when rains failed, they went without water for days, waiting for permission to access a neighbouring village’s well. With no money to buy water deliveries, she said, “I don’t have enough money to feed my kids, how can I pay for water?”

The community’s only cistern leaked badly, never holding water for long. But our local partner, who has been present in Yemen for many years, worked with Safiyah and her community to restore this source of water – and hope. The cistern was repaired, and a village water committee was formed to manage and monitor its use. Today, over 70 households in the village have reliable access to water. “Now, it takes me 5 minutes to reach the cistern where I can fetch enough water for my family,” Safiyah says. “Our cistern hasn’t dried out at all last year. By the grace of God there was enough rain.”

Crucially, women’s voices were heard in the process. The cistern’s new public location means women can access it safely. For Safiyah, this means freedom to work. “For the first time since my husband died, I’m able to feed my children and also save a little money from my work.”

Safiyah is one of millions of people living through crises that aren’t covered in mainstream news or media – but each are seen and known by God. And transformation can happen as God’s people step forward with hope, even as the world steps back. 

Your gift to Tearfund’s Urgent Appeal can help our Christian partners continue lifesaving work in communities hit by multiple crises.