EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Republic of Yemen is in an increasingly complex humanitarian crisis, with conflict in the north, secessionist movements in the south and Al Qaeda and other Salafist-led movements in various parts of the country. In addition, in 2011 there were very high levels of civil unrest, inspired by the “Arab Spring” revolutions in the region. The lack of strong central governance as well as the direct impact of conflict has exacerbated Yemen’s already severe poverty and malnutrition: 32 percent of the population are suffering food insecurity.
This project expands on the previous emergency operation (EMOP) “Food Assistance to Conflict-Affected Persons in Northern Yemen” that targeted 420,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) and conflict-affected persons in northern Yemen. Protracted displacement has led many IDPs to exhaust their coping mechanisms, thereby increasing their food insecurity, vulnerability, and reliance upon humanitarian assistance. This situation is compounded by rising food and fuel costs, and decreasing central government control in those areas not directly affected by the conflict.
Since June 2011, conflicts have affected other parts of the country. Fierce fighting in the southern governorate of Abyan between government forces and alleged affiliates of Al-Qaeda has prompted the displacement of almost 170,000 people into the surrounding governorates of Aden, Lahj and Shabwa. Of these, 80,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been assisted under WFP’s protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO) 200038 (“Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Support for Vulnerable Populations in Yemen”). In 2012, WFP will combine its support to IDPs in Yemen under this EMOP.
This EMOP will reach a total of 550,800 persons, saving lives and protecting livelihoods of IDPs, returnees and conflict-affected persons in both north and south Yemen. WFP will provide food and nutritional assistance to affected populations, aligned with WFP’s Strategic Objective 1 – Save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies. The operation will also contribute towards achieving Millennium Development Goals 1 – Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 2 4 - Reduce child mortality, and 5 – Improve maternal health.
WFP support will be provided through four different activities:
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General food distribution for IDPs, returnees and conflict-affected persons.
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Blanket supplementary feeding for children 6-59 months.
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Targeted supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating women.
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Food-for-work (FFW) and food-for-training (FFT) schemes for returnee-hosting communities.
The EMOP will be implemented in close cooperation with the Government’s Executive Unit for IDPs, and the Al-Houthi Executive Council on Humanitarian Affairs in the Houthicontrolled areas, in collaboration with humanitarian cluster members.