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.

• On May 15, the Yemen Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)—which consists of U.N. and non-governmental relief agencies—issued a statement calling for the protection of civilians in Abyan affected by military operations in southern Yemen. The HCT urged all involved parties to avoid civilian casualties and allow safe passage for those fleeing the conflict. In a May 16 statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross called upon all actors to spare civilian lives and respect medical staff and facilities.

• At the Friends of Yemen meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 23, international donors pledged $4 billion in additional assistance to Yemen, including more than $3.2 billion from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to international media reports.

• On May 6, a USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) regional advisor attended a meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen hosted by the League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and The Humanitarian Forum in Cairo, Egypt. In a joint statement, participants, including donors and relief agencies, expressed grave concern over Yemen’s deteriorating humanitarian situation, which affects millions of people throughout the country. The meeting’s hosts presented a full list of recommendations at the Friends of Yemen conference on May 23.

• In late April, USAID/OFDA provided $750,000 to support reporting, advocacy, assistance coordination, and resource mobilization activities in Yemen through the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

• To date in FY 2012, the U.S. Government (USG) has provided nearly $73.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, including nearly $6.1 million from USAID/OFDA, more than $47.6 million from USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP), and approximately $19.7 million from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM). USG humanitarian assistance to Yemen targets internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and other vulnerable individuals throughout the country.