Child Protection & Family Sponsorship
Supporting families with basic living needs, healthcare and education.
At UMR, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of families around the world. Through our targeted interventions, we strive to address critical living and health challenges and provide access to essential services for those in need. UMR’s Family Sponsorship Program supports vulnerable families with access to basic living needs, healthcare and education in countries faced by conflict, instability and economic challenges
Family & Orphan Sponsorship Program
Jordan, Yemen, Kenya, Palestine, Sudan, Turkey, Lebanon
UMR is actively working to address the intertwined challenges of economic instability and child vulnerability in regions including Jordan, Kenya, Gaza, Lebanon, Turkey, Yemen, and Sudan. By combining immediate humanitarian aid with long-term development initiatives, UMR’s comprehensive program seeks to create sustainable, community-wide change.
Children are among the most affected by poverty and conflict, often lacking access to basic necessities. UMR prioritizes child protection, ensuring their safety and fostering their development through targeted support. Beyond meeting urgent needs, UMR implements structured systems that promote long-term stability, enabling children and their families to thrive within more cohesive communities.
The program also emphasizes economic empowerment, offering vocational training and skill-building opportunities that help individuals gain financial independence. These efforts, combined with initiatives to bolster community resilience, aim to strengthen local economies in regions where instability has weakened traditional support structures.
Addressing Autism in Yemen: Challenges and Interventions
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. Globally, it impacts about 1 in 160 children, though prevalence rates vary. In Yemen, these challenges are magnified by conflict, which has devastated healthcare and education systems. Children with autism require specialized resources like tailored learning materials, therapy, and trained educators, yet these are scarce in Yemen. The ongoing war has displaced families, destroyed infrastructure, and left over 50% of healthcare facilities non-functional. Financial barriers further limit access, with over 80% of Yemen's population living below the poverty line. Social stigma compounds these issues, isolating families and restricting support for the approximately 187,500 children affected by autism in Yemen.
Despite progress through UMR's "Improving Access for the Most Vulnerable Children with Autism in Yemen" project, challenges remain. Only 10% of children with autism have access to education, and financial and social barriers persist. Families struggle to afford therapy, and awareness campaigns currently reach less than 20% of the population. To address these gaps, UMR plans to expand its efforts, including increasing educational access, strengthening the Autism Center's capacity, and fostering community engagement.
Key activities include providing registration fees and transportation incentives for 80 children, delivering up to 4,000 therapy sessions, procuring learning materials, and hosting monthly awareness events and bi-monthly parental workshops. Robust monitoring and evaluation will ensure accountability and continuous improvement. These interventions aim to improve enrollment, therapy outcomes, community awareness, and operational efficiency, creating long-term positive impacts for children with autism and their families in Yemen.
