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Feature: Yemen
Context
About 5,300 families (32,000 people) in Taiz governorate were displaced by intense fighting in and around Al Mukha city between Al Houthi and pro-government forces. People fled to other districts within Taiz governorate or to neighbouring Al Hudaydah governorate. About 41,000 people were trapped in Al Mashaleeha, Al Zahari and Al Mukha areas as roads were closed. Intense airstrikes continued to target other coastal districts where some internally displaced people (IDPs) were located, triggering renewed displacement. Authorities at a health unit said some IDPs arriving at Al Khawkhah had wounds caused by airstrikes and gun shots. Most displaced families fled with few possessions and were staying with relatives, putting pressure on host families (ECHO, 7 February 2017).
A Norwegian Refugee Council report said: “Displaced people face a number of hardships, including lack of access to water, healthcare, shelter, education and a basic income. Still, 75 per cent identify food as their top priority among all these, illustrating the immediate and desperate need, a daily struggle for survival.” Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland said: “Since the conflict started, all the warring parties have impeded our ability to reach people who were in most need of humanitarian assistance. It is crucial that all restrictions on aid are lifted so that we are able to deliver life-saving services throughout Yemen … In Yemen, if bombs don’t kill you, a slow and painful death by starvation is now an increasing threat.” (Norwegian Refugee Council, 8 February 2017).