The long-awaited National Dialogue Conference was successfully launched in Sana’a on 18 March. Meanwhile, political tensions, economic insecurity, social unrest and conflict continued to seriously affect all sectors of the population, leaving the poverty-stricken extremely vulnerable. . In order to be able to assist those in need, it is essential that the neutral, impartial and independent nature of aid agencies' humanitarian work, including that of the ICRC, be respected at all times.

A vaccination campaign for animals in rural Amran is helping to preserve the herds and the livelihoods of vulnerable families. The campaign is being run by the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the ICRC, which is providing equipment and vaccines as well as paying for car rental, fuel and incentives for the vaccinators. ICRC staff accompany the teams regularly to the field.

Sa'ada (ICRC): A workshop to discuss safe access to medical services for the sick and wounded took place in Sa’ada on Monday, 25th February 2013. Organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with the governor, the local authorities and the Executive Council, the workshop is part of an ICRC global campaign to enhance knowledge about, and compliance with, the rules of international law that protect health facilities, personnel and transport during times of conflict and violence.

A selection of photographs illustrating the humanitarian situation and activities carried out by the ICRC in 2012 for detainees, displaced people, wounded patients and others affected by the armed conflict or other violence in Yemen.

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Sana'a (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together with the Governor, the local authorities and the Executive Council, inaugurated today the final phase of a water project constructed in conflict-affected Dahyan town. This project will provide clean water to more than 16,000 people living in the area.

Dahyan, situated northwest of Sa'ada, has been severely affected by different conflicts over the years, during which the town's infrastructure, private homes and the public water network, were damaged.

ICRC News Release No. 12/245

Sana'a/Geneva (ICRC) – An ICRC-organized conference on the dangers facing health personnel and facilities has brought together Yemeni government representatives from the health, security and justice sectors, plus representatives of civil society and international organizations. The meeting in the Yemeni capital Sana’a on 16 December also addressed the factors that prevent the sick and wounded from obtaining health care during conflicts and other emergencies.

The ICRC is helping civilians affected by conflict and other violence in several of Yemen’s governorates. Main activities include helping people support themselves; providing relief supplies; supporting medical facilities; promoting detainee welfare; restoring family links and networking with the authorities and with religious and military leaders.

The dire humanitarian situation has compounded the suffering of a civilian population already affected by a weak economy and limited infrastructure

While relative calm prevails in the north, in Sa'ada and Amran governorates especially, the security situation in the south and centre remains volatile. Many formerly displaced people who have returned to their home areas need help rebuilding their lives. The ICRC is trying to give them a chance to fend for themselves.

Sana'a/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply shocked and dismayed by the death of one of its staff members, Hussein Saleh, who was killed this morning while on duty in the north of Abyan governorate.

Mr Saleh and three other staff members were assessing the humanitarian situation in the region, which has been severely affected by the recent fighting. The circumstances behind this incident remain unclear.