Hodeida: The General Authority of Zakat Office in Hodeida governorate implemented humanitarian and development projects worth more than YR 4.65 billion in 2025, benefiting hundreds of thousands of people across the governorate's districts, according to its annual report.
According to Yemen News Agency, throughout 2025, the Zakat Office demonstrated a broad developmental and humanitarian presence by implementing a package of cash, in-kind, health, and economic empowerment projects targeting the most vulnerable groups, including the poor, needy, debtors, patients, and internally displaced persons.
Total spending reached YR 4,653,537,000. Cash assistance constituted the largest share of interventions. The direct cash assistance project benefited 130,971 individuals at a cost of YR 2,669,799,000. Meanwhile, cash transfers and Zakat al-Fitr distributed across districts amounted to YR 2,634,280,000, benefiting 131,714 cases, including YR 60 million allocated for Zakat al-Fitr to 7,326 beneficiaries.
Special support was extended to residents of Kamaran Island, where 899 beneficiaries received YR 153,280,200 in cash assistance. Displaced persons in the districts of Hays, Al-Khokha, Al-Mokha, and Maqbanah also received aid, with 3,169 IDPs benefiting from YR 57,834,250. Additionally, a separate cash assistance initiative supported more than 60,910 cases at a cost of YR 1,218,200,000.
In support of debt relief, decentralized assistance for debtors reached YR 144,421,940 for 770 beneficiaries, while a centralized debtors' project provided YR 175,483,400 to 14 cases.
The health sector received significant attention, with medical assistance provided to 2,912 beneficiaries at a cost of YR 299,131,393, in addition to YR 34 million allocated for hospital-based patient support. Marriage assistance totaled YR 107,900,000, benefiting 660 individuals.
In-kind and food assistance projects included grain distribution to 21,665 beneficiaries at a cost of YR 300,794,550, and in-kind food baskets for 1,583 beneficiaries costing YR 23,745,000. Zakat in-kind distributions of crops, such as grains, honey, and sesame oil, benefited 20,249 individuals. Emergency response assistance amounted to YR 45 million for 2,306 cases, alongside an additional YR 16,560,000 for urgent aid. Ramadan charitable kitchens and bakeries were funded with YR 100 million.
Decentralized spending on medical treatment and debt relief reached YR 551,203,333, benefiting 4,341 cases. As part of a shift toward sustainability, the economic empowerment program recorded expenditures of YR 253,699,838, in addition to support for livestock, fishermen, and various income-generating projects.
Community initiatives were supported with YR 28,985,985, alongside the implementation of water, road, medical camp, and service partnership projects across several districts.
Director General of the Zakat Office in Hodeidah, Mohammed Hazaa, stated that these projects reflect the Authority's commitment to allocating zakat funds in accordance with the eight legitimate categories of beneficiaries, expanding coverage to promote social justice and alleviate hardship among the most vulnerable. He noted that 2025 witnessed a significant expansion in spending and a transition toward sustainable empowerment projects aimed at transforming beneficiaries from recipients of aid into productive members of society.
Hazaa affirmed that the office will continue developing collection and disbursement mechanisms, strengthening community partnerships, and implementing service and development projects with direct impact, reinforcing zakat's role as a pillar of solidarity, charity, and sustainable development.