Yemen a year after the civil unrest – deeper humanitarian crisis compounded by chronic underdevelopment; challenging political transition and volatile security affecting access; aggravated socio-economic situation manifested by a collapse of basic social services and rising cost of living leading to greater disparities and inequity, and shrinking community resilience.

Children continue to bear the brunt of the crisis. They constitute half of the population.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Inter-agency Abyan Response Plan requires US$87 million to assist 320,000 beneficiaries. But security is still fragile.

• Landmines are a major challenge to IDP return to Abyan. Livelihoods of 200,000 people have been destroyed, and protection issues are expected to persist.

• Agency chiefs are visiting Yemen to help draw attention to the nutrition and food crises in the country.

• Improved level of humanitarian funding to Yemen, but severe under-funding threatens delivery of life-saving initiatives.

Highlights:

· Sa’ada continued reporting measles cases; 170 in April and 101 up to 13 May. An outbreak of dengue-chikungunya fever was reported in Lahj, Hajjah and Hodeidah governorates, with 887 suspected cases.

· Findings from a UNICEF and Dutch Government supported nationwide WASH survey show only 45% of Yemenis have access to improved water; 27% have adequate sanitation.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

• Relief agencies have expressed concern that intensified fighting in Abyan Governorate between Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) security forces and militant groups may lead to civilian casualties and population movements out of the area. Relief agencies are preparing contingency plans to respond to potential humanitarian needs.

• Since last year, we were reporting on Yemen’s conflict-induced humanitarian situation with emerging humanitarian needs for IDPs, host communities, and those directly affected by conflict.

• The current scale and magnitude of humanitarian situation across the country has all indication of acute humanitarian crise that affects the entire country and population who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance

Highlights:

In this issue

1 million people need aid in Syria P.2

Measles epidemic in Yemen P.3

2012 Humanitarian Appeal P.4

CERF support for Syria, Yemen P.5

HIGHLIGHTS

• UN-LAS Sectoral Meeting in Cairo generated more than 50 recommendations on issues of shared humanitarian concern.

• At least 1 million people need humanitarian assistance in Syria.

• Algeria received 30,000 people fleeing political violence in Mali. Algerian Red Crescent responded with medicines, blankets, food and tents

IOM is assisting the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population in a nation-wide measles immunization campaign, responding to an ongoing outbreak of the disease first reported late last year.

IOM is recruiting and training supervisors and health workers who will implement the campaign in six hard-to-access northern districts of Al Jawf Governorate: Al Humaydat, Bart Al Anan, Rajuzah, Az Zahir, Kharab Al Marashi and Khabb wa ash Sha'af.

highlights:

• The first phase of a nationwide measles campaign integrated with polio and vitamin A was completed, reaching over 94% of the targeted 1.8 million children in seven priority governorates (preliminary figures). Measles cases continued to be reported, bringing the total number of cases to 4,185 with 177 deaths by end of March.