Food Security and Livelihood
At UMR, we use our agile resources and staffing to target our efforts in the regions where there has been least progress to end world hunger. These regions are often remote, rural, and/or chronically vulnerable by effect of conflict or natural disaster.
Food Security and Livelihood
Cultural norms are often strongest in these regions, which makes it difficult to reach hungry households. As such, UMR’s approach to household food security is based on two principles (a) cultural sensitivity, and (b) dignified household nourishment.
Gaza
Gaza Emergency Response
To combat acute food insecurity, UMR distributed thousands of hot meals and food baskets to over 10,000 displaced and impoverished individuals, ensuring they had access to nutritious meals during challenging times. Currently, we are also providing emergency food aid in two key forms: fresh food baskets and non-perishable food items. The fresh food baskets include a variety of nutritious produce such as eggplant, potato, onion, tomato, cucumber, lemon, avocado, bell pepper, hot pepper, garlic, orange, and clementine, ensuring families receive proper nutrition. Non-perishable food items are designed to sustain households for extended periods, addressing both immediate and long-term food security needs.
Yemen
Yemen's ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to pose severe challenges, with malnutrition emerging as one of the most urgent and devastating issues. As of 2024, approximately 18.2 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, with nutritional needs reaching critical levels. Alarmingly, 2.7 million pregnant and lactating women and 5 million children under five require treatment for acute malnutrition.
The healthcare system remains critically strained, with only 50% of hospitals fully or partially operational, further exacerbating the malnutrition crisis. Compounding the issue, poor WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure leaves 27% of the population without access to safe water and 49% facing water scarcity, significantly increasing the risk of malnutrition-related diseases.
How UMR is Combating Malnutrition in Yemen
UMR is at the forefront of addressing Yemen's malnutrition crisis through targeted interventions that prioritize vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Our initiatives focus on providing life-saving nutritional support, education, and sustainable solutions to break the cycle of malnutrition.
Nutritional Treatment Programs: UMR provides specialized treatment for malnourished children and mothers across key regions, offering therapeutic foods and essential supplements to restore health and prevent further deterioration.
Maternal and Child Health Services: In our five health facilities across Taiz, Lahj, Aden, and Al-Hodeidah, UMR delivers maternal care services, including prenatal and postnatal support, to ensure the health of both mothers and their children.
Fortified Food Distribution: Through partnerships, including collaboration with Direct Aid, UMR has distributed fortified rice and other nutrient-rich food supplies to thousands of vulnerable families, directly addressing food insecurity.
Sustainable Interventions: Beyond immediate relief, UMR supports local health facilities by providing essential medical supplies, training healthcare workers, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to ensure long-term nutritional resilience.
By integrating nutrition into our healthcare and humanitarian programs, UMR is not only addressing immediate needs but also building pathways for long-term health and well-being in Yemen. Our goal is to ensure every child, mother, and family has access to the nutrition and care they need to survive and thrive.
Sudan
Sudan Emergency Response
Sudan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Intense conflict has displaced over 5 million people, collapsed the health sector, and left over 10 million without access to essential medical services. Severe malnutrition affects 7.3 million people, including 2.3 million children, while nearly 18 million are enduring acute food shortages.
In response, UMR is committed to delivering sustainable, life-saving aid through key initiatives:
Emergency Food Assistance: Partnering with organizations across the USA, Sudan, Bahrain, Kenya, and Kuwait, UMR is distributing 1.5 million meals to orphans, displaced families, and those suffering from severe malnutrition, including pregnant and lactating women.
Strengthening Health Systems: UMR has delivered $5 million worth of medicines and medical equipment to five hospitals in Sudan, ensuring access to critical care for up to 100,000 patients.
Fighting Malnutrition: UMR trains volunteers and community health workers to combat severe malnutrition through therapeutic feeding programs and localized interventions.
Beyond these efforts, UMR also operates hot meal kitchens, organizes medical outreach days for displaced populations, and provides essential supplies like ICU equipment, clothing, and educational materials to communities in Port Sudan and North Sudan.
Kenya
Hydroponic Farming
UMR and Caritas Nairobi are collaborating on the Smart Hydroponics Project to address food insecurity and the challenges posed by climate change in Kenya. By introducing innovative agricultural practices, the project aims to provide sustainable solutions for food production while empowering vulnerable communities, particularly women and youth, with the tools and skills needed for economic independence.
In Phase 1, the project was piloted in Limuru and Mukuru informal settlements, training 111 women and youth in hydroponics farming—a soil-free, water-efficient method of agriculture. Participants received a blend of practical and theoretical training, focusing on hydroponic techniques and entrepreneurial skills. This approach was designed to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and confidence to pursue agribusiness opportunities. The project also established 33 greenhouses to serve as training sites where participants could gain hands-on farming experience. As crops are harvested, a portion of the sales is saved through Caritas Microfinance Bank, enabling participants to build financial security and access credit to start their own businesses.
Phase 2 expands the initiative to both Limuru and Wajir County, addressing the unique challenges of each region. In Limuru, two demonstration greenhouses and five vertical hydroponic wall gardens will serve as educational hubs for 50 new participants. These installations will host training sessions that raise awareness about climate-smart agriculture while continuing to promote sustainable farming practices within the community.
In Wajir County, where severe climate conditions like drought and water scarcity have devastated traditional farming and pastoral livelihoods, the project introduces four smart hydroponic greenhouses. These greenhouses will train 30 beneficiaries in innovative farming techniques designed to overcome environmental challenges. With a focus on efficient water use and year-round crop production, the project aims to create a sustainable food system that enhances resilience in this arid region.
The Smart Hydroponics Project is rooted in the recognition that traditional farming methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of communities facing climate-related adversities. By teaching modern techniques and fostering self-reliance, the project offers a sustainable pathway to improved food security, economic stability, and resilience for vulnerable populations in Kenya.