Statement on Likely Impacts of COVID-19 on Humanitarian Cash Transfers in Yemen

The COVID-19 pandemic has now spread to the Middle East. Countries across the region are imposing measures to prevent further spread of the virus. Currently there are no confirmed cases in Yemen, but it is highly likely that COVID-19 will eventually reach the country. Organizations are shifting funding and activities to respond to the COVID-19 emergency, focusing on the two pillars of supporting health/hygiene and reducing the impact upon the most vulnerable households’ ability to meet their basic needs. Cash Transfers are a key modality in the response, however, the impacts of COVID-19 in the global economy and in Yemen’s neighbors are already starting to be felt, impacting upon the markets and financial systems humanitarian actors rely on to undertake Cash Transfers and raising a real risk that aid delivery may be interrupted at the time it is needed most.
The Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY) is a collaboration between DRC, NRC, ACTED and IOM. It has identified several growing risks related to COVID-19 and actions that should be taken now. We will need the collective efforts of humanitarian and development actors, and donors as well as authorities to respond to them.