Yemen has been living through a protracted civil conflict since 2015. The result is one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world — millions of people facing acute food insecurity, collapsed healthcare infrastructure, and widespread displacement. For Muslim donors in the U.S. who want to help, the question is: which charities are actually doing meaningful work there?
Five U.S.-based Muslim organizations have active, established Yemen programs. All are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. All accept zakat-eligible donations directed toward Yemen relief. Here is how they compare.
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Is Yemen aid zakat-eligible?
Yes. Yemeni civilians experiencing famine-level food insecurity and displacement clearly fall within the Quranic categories of fuqara (poor) and masakin (destitute). The scholarly consensus in North America broadly permits giving zakat for Yemeni humanitarian relief. Most major Muslim charities with Yemen programs explicitly designate those programs as zakat-eligible. If you need a specific ruling for your situation, consult your local imam.
Islamic Relief USA
Islamic Relief USA has one of the most substantial Yemen programs among U.S. Muslim charities. They have operated in Yemen for years, providing food distributions, clean water access, healthcare support, and emergency cash assistance. Their Yemen programming is publicly documented and they publish annual reports with country-level program data.
Islamic Relief USA is the U.S. chapter of Islamic Relief Worldwide, a global organization with significant on-the-ground infrastructure in Yemen. For a full breakdown of their structure, certifications, and financials, see the Islamic Relief USA review. For donors who want the largest, most established option, this is the starting point.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD)
HHRD has been one of the most active U.S. Muslim charities in Yemen. They are known particularly for food relief and their response to Yemen's famine conditions, running food basket distributions and water programs. HHRD is ISNA-affiliated, based in Southfield, Michigan, and has operated since 1999.
HHRD's Yemen campaigns have been prominent in U.S. mosque communities, especially during Ramadan. They work closely with local Islamic centers to run fundraising campaigns, which gives them a grassroots reach that larger organizations sometimes lack. Their financials are publicly accessible through their annual reports and IRS Form 990 filings.
Zakat Foundation of America
Zakat Foundation of America runs Yemen programs covering emergency food assistance and orphan support. Their model is built around ensuring zakat is collected and distributed according to Islamic guidelines, with donations assigned to specific eligible categories. For donors whose primary concern is the proper handling of zakat funds rather than organizational size, Zakat Foundation is a strong choice.
Based in Chicago and founded in 2001, Zakat Foundation has consistent Yemen programming and publishes clear information about how donations are distributed. They are one of the best-known U.S. Muslim charities specifically for structured zakat distribution across international crises.
Penny Appeal USA
Penny Appeal USA operates Yemen programs focused on food distributions and orphan care. Their model is designed for accessibility — they emphasize smaller, recurring donations that compound into meaningful impact. The U.S. chapter works within the broader Penny Appeal network, which has active Yemen programming.
Penny Appeal USA is a solid choice for donors who want to give a regular monthly amount toward Yemen relief without committing to a large one-time donation. Their digital experience is strong and they are transparent about program-level spending. For new donors or those who prefer smaller incremental giving, they are worth considering.
Muslim Aid USA
Muslim Aid USA was founded in 2010 and is based in Manassas, Virginia. They are the American chapter of Muslim Aid, a UK-based organization with international humanitarian programs. Yemen is one of their active emergency response areas, covering food assistance and essential supplies.
Muslim Aid USA is a smaller presence in U.S. Muslim communities compared to Islamic Relief or HHRD, but they are a legitimate 501(c)(3) with a real Yemen program. For donors who want to support a somewhat less prominent organization and diversify their giving away from the two or three most common names, Muslim Aid USA is a reasonable option.
How to choose between them
If you want the largest organization with the most documented Yemen presence: Islamic Relief USA. If you want ISNA-affiliated community connection and mosque-level fundraising: HHRD. If structured zakat distribution methodology matters most to you: Zakat Foundation of America. If you prefer accessible smaller donations: Penny Appeal USA. If you want to diversify beyond the top-tier names: Muslim Aid USA.
All five have legitimate Yemen programs and are verifiable through publicly available financial filings. You can compare these and other vetted Muslim charities at HalalWallet's charities directory.
What types of Yemen aid are these organizations providing?
The programs vary by organization, but the most common types of Yemen aid from these charities include food baskets, clean water access, emergency cash transfers, and orphan support. Some organizations also fund healthcare support. Food insecurity is the dominant crisis, so food-related programs are the primary focus across all five. When donating, check each organization's current Yemen campaign to confirm which types of aid are active.
Bottom line
Islamic Relief USA and HHRD are the two most established options for Yemen giving among U.S. Muslim donors. Both have years of on-the-ground programming, transparent financials, and well-documented Yemen-specific campaigns. Zakat Foundation of America is the best choice if structured zakat handling is your priority.
For more on how to calculate your zakat obligation and find eligible causes, visit HalalWallet's zakat resource center.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yemen a legitimate zakat cause? Yes. The widespread poverty, displacement, and food insecurity in Yemen places millions of Yemenis within the fuqara and masakin categories eligible for zakat. The scholarly consensus in North American Muslim communities broadly supports giving zakat for Yemeni relief.
How long have these charities been working in Yemen? Islamic Relief USA and HHRD have had active Yemen programs for years. Zakat Foundation and Penny Appeal USA also have established Yemen presence. Muslim Aid USA has operated there since at least the mid-2010s. For exact program start dates, check each organization's official materials.
Can I give sadaqah instead of zakat for Yemen? Yes. Sadaqah is voluntary charity and can go to Yemen relief programs without the distribution restrictions that apply to zakat. Many donors give zakat to one organization and additional sadaqah to others, which is a sound approach for maximizing impact.
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Do these charities publish program reports for Yemen? Islamic Relief USA and Zakat Foundation of America both publish annual reports with country-level data. HHRD publishes financial reports and campaign summaries. Penny Appeal USA and Muslim Aid USA also publish annual documentation. IRS Form 990 filings are available for all five through public charity databases.
Is it better to give a lump sum or recurring monthly donation for Yemen? Both work. A lump sum is easier to calculate for zakat purposes. A monthly recurring donation compounds over time and helps organizations plan sustained programs rather than one-off emergency responses. If you are giving sadaqah, monthly giving is generally more impactful for long-term crises like Yemen.
