Save the Children warned over risks to staff at its Yemen office

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has formally warned Save the Children over governance failures and misconduct that it said created serious risks for staff at the charity’s Yemen office.

The investigation lasted two years and followed the death of safety and security director Hisham Al-Hakimi, who died in October 2023 after being detained by Yemeni authorities.

Regulator orders stronger safeguards

The commission said weak governance meant staff were not adequately protected amid what it described as a live security concern. Complaints and whistleblower reports were not sufficiently assessed or escalated, while allegations of poor conduct were not properly addressed.

The warning cited substantial policy breaches and a lack of accountability. It ordered Save the Children International to ensure that sufficient resources are available to safeguard staff and others working with the charity.

Changes after internal investigation

A Save the Children internal review in 2024 found a negative working culture that left staff disillusioned and marginalised. The organisation apologised and acknowledged that it had failed to properly assess the risks facing personnel as security conditions deteriorated.

Save the Children said that since 2024, under new leadership, it had strengthened oversight, staff support and crisis management, introduced detention risk assessments and improved incident-management procedures. Its north Yemen office was closed because of security concerns.

The charity accepted the commission’s findings of serious shortcomings in governance, management, oversight and compliance with policies. It also said the circumstances surrounding Al-Hakimi’s detention and death might never be fully established because of the challenges in Yemen; another Save the Children staff member is understood to be in detention.

Warning issued amid humanitarian crisis

Stephen Roake, the commission’s assistant director for high-risk compliance, said the rapidly changing conditions in volatile environments made proper oversight of overseas operations essential for charity trustees.

Save the Children provides emergency medical assistance, shelter and drinking water to displaced families in Yemen. Its Yemen office warned last week of a catastrophic humanitarian situation caused by escalating conflict, collapsing health services and disease outbreaks; fighting in recent weeks has killed or wounded more than 1,000 people and displaced tens of thousands.