e-3899 (Foreign affairs)

Canada remains committed to assisting the people of Yemen and remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating food security situation in Yemen, and the scale of this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Canada has provided over $410M in humanitarian assistance in Yemen since 2015, with over $46M provided to date in 2023. Canada continues to support the ongoing efforts of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to help bring durable peace in the country. Since 2018, Canada has contributed over $22M in peace and security assistance.

Canada has a long and proud humanitarian tradition of protecting the world’s most vulnerable people, and continues to provide resettlement protection to those in need, including those who have fled persecution in their home countries. Each humanitarian crisis is unique, and Canada’s intent is always to provide the best support possible to those at risk, given their particular circumstances.

We evaluate how Canada can best help by looking at the solutions required for those at risk. Further, we look at the neighbouring countries the individuals affected are fleeing to, whether they have temporary safe harbor in those countries, and whether those countries offer long-term durable solutions. Where crises lead to internally displaced persons who cannot flee, we work with international organizations and partners to determine the most appropriate response. For example, in response to the Afghanistan and Ukraine crises, the Government chose courses of action believed to be most effective in helping those fleeing violence, within the context of coordinating our actions with our international allies.

Canada does not have specific programs available to assist Yemenis who are internally displaced as a result of the conflict. However, there are refugee resettlement options available for those who have fled and are living outside Yemen. 

Yemenis outside of Yemen may be eligible for resettlement through Canada’s Resettlement Program. This program is designed to both offer protection to the world’s most at-risk refugees around the world, and to provide Canadians with the opportunity to identify and sponsor refugees who lack a durable solution. Refugees can access Canada’s protection through the Government-Assisted Refugees Program (GAR), the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSR), or the Blended Visa Office-Referred Program (BVOR). Under the GAR and the BVOR programs, Canada relies on the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to identify refugees who are the most in need of a permanent resettlement solution. Refugees who may not qualify for resettlement through the UNHCR can also access protection through the PSR Program, which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to identify refugees whom they wish to sponsor for resettlement to Canada. As of February 28, 2023, Canada has resettled 532 refugees from Yemen since 2017.   

Canada will continue to closely monitor the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and remains committed to resettling refugees at risk from around the world.