Send cash to families in Yemen | Zakat Fund | العطاء المباشر لزكاة

Fundraising now closed: thanks to your support, 4,200+ Yemeni families have now received emergency funds.

Give now to help deliver cash to survivors of other crises.

The protracted civil war in Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 21 million people estimated to be in need of aid.

100% of donations through this page went to a Zakat-eligible Yemeni family in need as cash. All costs associated with delivery (staff salaries, bank fees, etc.) were covered from separate, non-Zakat funds.

Since August 2022, GiveDirectly has delivered donations to 3,000+ families in Yemen. Hear how it’s helped:

GiveDirectly is certified to collect and distribute Zakat

• Donations made through this page were Zakat certified, handled in accordance to Islamic law. GiveDirectly acted as the Wakil (distribution agent) for the payments.

• Costs associated with delivering donations (e.g., staff salaries, bank fees, etc.) were covered from separate funds. For every $1 sent, the full $1 went directly as cash to a Yemeni family in poverty. 

75% of Yemen lives in extreme poverty

• For 8 years, Yemeni families have been caught in a civil war, forcing many to flee their homes. Today, over 75% of the country lives in extreme poverty.

• In Aden, the largest city in the south, 274,000 individuals do not have enough to eat and are not receiving food security assistance. Food in southern Yemen is available but increasingly expensive.

Your donations were sent directly to Yemenis in need

• Since August 2022, GiveDirectly has provided monthly cash support to 3,000+ families in Aden, Yemen to spend on whatever they need most: food, businesses, health treatment, etc. We aim to reach 4,200+ households before the end of this year.

• Giving money lets families choose for themselves how best to meet their needs and build resilience.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Zakat?

Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a specific form of alms that is obligatory for any Muslim who is in possession of wealth over a certain threshold. Zakat is applicable at a rate of 2.5% of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab and is calculated and paid annually.  It’s especially common to give Zakat during the month of Ramadan.

Why is GiveDirectly collecting Zakat?

GiveDirectly has delivered cash aid to the world’s poorest for the past decade in 13 countries, including Yemen, Morocco, and Nigeria. Our tech platforms allow us to transparently and efficiently deliver money directly to the most vulnerable to spend on what they need most. The spirit of Zakat, giving alms directly to the poor and needy, aligns with our mission. We want to provide Muslim donors the ability to give Zakat directly as cash to those suffering in Yemen, an option not currently available from other organizations.

How are these donations Zakat certified?

While GiveDirectly is a secular organization, our Yemen program and Zakat policy have been reviewed and certified by Amanah Advisors. See certification letter.

The journey of Zakat Funds from the Zakat Payer to Recipient:

1. Zakat funds are held in an interest-free bank account and restricted to our Yemen program

2. Zakat funds are transferred to our Yemen country office account (Al Kuraimi Islamic Microfinance Bank)

3. GiveDirectly pays each recipient at cash-out events at local bank branches

Zakat payments are allocated, given out, and reported upon within one year of receipt. 

Who is specifically handling the donated Zakat funds?

Walid Herzallah leads our donation and fundraising efforts. Funds are delivered by Yemeni staff on the ground with our banking partner, Al Kuraimi Islamic Microfinance Bank.

What about overheads?

100% of Zakat collected through this page will be delivered to Yemeni families as cash, with none of the funds going to staff, transfer costs, or other overheads. Those operational expenses are covered by other funding sources.

Note: Non-Zakat GiveDirectly donations go to both cash aid and the cost of delivering them. This remains our policy, but we’ve created an exception to ensure compliance with Zakat rules.

Who is eligible to receive funds?

People displaced from their homes living in internally displaced persons camps in Aden, Yemen, and low-income households in the communities around those camps in need of aid. This program will reach at least 4,200 households – approximately ~26,000 individuals, based on an average household size of 6 to 7.

How have you chosen how much to give?

This program is designed to help those experiencing food insecurity, meaning households going for entire days without eating due to lack of money, access to food, or other resources. This affects health and livelihoods, and contributes to outbreaks of disease.

GiveDirectly research shows that giving cash without conditions has a positive impact on food security. Each household will receive 210,000 Yemeni Riyal ($150-200 USD, depending on exchange rate volatility) monthly for 4 months in Yemeni Riyal to spend no strings attached. This amount is based on the monthly cost for a household in southern Yemen to meet their basic needs:

Is GiveDirectly connected to any political group?

GiveDirectly has no political, religious, or sectarian affiliations, and is committed to serving people in poverty across the globe regardless of their tribe, religion, sex, and political beliefs.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes, donations are tax-deductible in the United States. GiveDirectly is a registered 501(c)(3), and our U.S. federal EIN is 27-1661997.

If you’re giving from the UK or Netherlands, you can make a tax-deductible donation via Giving What We Can.