Is sending money to needy family members in Yemen considered a sufficient charity (sadaqah) in lieu of zakat, given that I am a doctor currently not receiving a salary?

For money to be counted as Zakat, it is a condition that the giver pays it with the intention of Zakat, and that the recipient is eligible for it. If the money is given with the intention of charity and not Zakat, it will not fulfill the obligatory Zakat. However, if the money is given with the intention of Zakat and is given to someone who is eligible for it, then it is sufficient to count it as Zakat.