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Yemen

Special situation report no. 1, 27 January – 2 February 2017: Conflict in Al-Mokha City, Taizz Governorate, Yemen [EN/AR]

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Highlights:

  • 22,000 people are affected by intense fighting in Al-Mokha City in Taizz Governorate. More than 8,000 people have fled to Al-Hudaydah and Taizz Governorate to escape, while thousands more remain trapped and caught in the crossfire.

  • WHO has deployed a rapid response team to districts receiving internally displaced persons from Al-Mokha City to identify the most urgent health needs.

  • WHO has dispatched a mobile medical team to deliver primary health services in affected districts in Al-Hudaydah Governorate and delivered three trauma kits sufficient for 300 surgical interventions to the main hospitals in Bait Al-Fakeeh, Zebeed and Hays districts.

Situation update:

  • Fighting in Al-Mokha City, Taizz Governorate has forced almost 1,231 households (more than 8,000 people) to flee to neighboring districts in Al-Hudaydah governorate and Taizz governorate. The majority of internally displaced persons have settled in Jabal Ra’s, Hays, Al-Jarrahi, Al-Khawkha and Attuhayta districts (see table below).

  • More than 5,000 people remain trapped in Al-Mokha City and are unable to leave due to the insecurity.

  • The influx and movement of internally displaced persons is expected to continue as violence continues and people flee to safer areas.

  • According to local health authorities, five civilians have died, and 16 people, including 8 children and 1 woman have been injured and referred to health facilities in Al-Khawkha district.

  • Newly displaced people are an additional burden for host communities, who are themselves already vulnerable and living in poverty. Many displaced families are hosted in cramped accommodation among host communities, while many of the new IDPs are living in empty buildings and open spaces.