Yemen: Escalating Conflict Flash Update 36 | 23 May 2015 [EN/AR]

Daily Key Messages

Partners must be able to scale up response activities in order to meet the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict affected people in Yemen, including over 545,700 internally displaced people.

Overview

Over the past 48 hours violence has continued in several areas of Yemen, adding to insecurity reported over the past week. Airstrikes continue to be reported in the northern governorates of Sa’ada (Baqim, Haydan, Saqayn and As Safra) and Hajjah (Abs, Hayran, Haradh, Huth, Kuhlan Affar and Sahar districts). The road connecting Haradh and Huth districts was reportedly hit. Shelling and ground clashes were also reported in the governorates of Sa’ada (Majz, Razih, Kitaf wa Al Boqe'e and Al Dhaher districts) and Hajjah (Haradh district). Airstrikes were also reported in Al Jawf Governorate (Bart Al Anan district), as well as heavy clashes.

Displacement and return

Partners are seeking solutions to address severe food concerns for IDPs in Khamir District and Amran City, Amran Governorate. Partners began distributions when IDPs arrived in Amran during April, but subsequently had to cease activities due to lack of supplies. Supplies are expected to come through from Hudaydah, but transportation challenges are considerable as contractors are reluctant to move truckloads of aid supplies due to insecurity. Purchase of food from the local market in Amran could severely distort the market and accelerate depletion of the limited amount available, risking a general food crisis in Amran Governorate. Affected IDPs have relied on food portions provided as charity by local communities, but are unable to continue the charity as their resources are depleting fast.

An assessment of the needs of IDPs in Al Jawf and Marib governorates carried out during the humanitarian pause (15 May) found significant needs in the food security, shelter and water and sanitation sectors. Over 2,370 IDP households in Al Jawf (Kharab Al Marashi, Al Matammah, and Al Maton districts) and over 1,470 households in Marib (Marib City and Sirwah districts) came primarily from conflict affected areas in Sa’ada, Al Bayda and Shabwah governorates and were primarily resident with host families or in abandoned facilities, including schools. Facilities were found to be overcrowded and lacking sufficient water and sanitation facilities for hosting IDPs. Those hosting IDPs were also affected by the conflict and had drastically reduced resources for addressing basic needs. Food security was found to be a major concern, both because of reduced resources of host families and decreased availability of food on the market. Availability of drinking water was also found to be severely scarce.

Humanitarian response

In Amran Governorate, humanitarian partners are preparing to scale up delivery of assistance in light of increasing needs of IDPs and host communities. Three mobile clinics providing integrated health and nutrition services were established during the humanitarian pause and currently serve As Sudah, As Sawd, Shabara, Khamir, Al Madan, Suwayr, Al Ashah and Al Qaflah districts. Partners are now preparing to dispatch two more mobile clinics in order to meet the increasing needs of conflict affected people in Amran. The number of people reached by these mobile clinics is still being compiled.

For further information, please see:
http://www.humanitarianresponse.info/operations/yemen,
http://www.unocha.org/yemen

Or contact:
Kate Corenthal, Reports Officer, OCHA Yemen, Tel: +962 (0) 79 840 48 45 Email: corenthal@un.org Erich Ogoso, Public Information Officer, OCHA Yemen, Tel : +962 (0) 795 203 158, Email: ogoso@un.org