Yemen: A 'neglected emergency' international community must bolster support

(Sana'a/New York, 16 September, 2009): The Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Mr. Rashid Khalikov, today briefed members of the humanitarian community in Sana'a on the last day of his mission to Yemen.

"Despite the deep vulnerability of the tens of thousands people who have fled from conflict in northern Yemen, this humanitarian emergency has been largely neglected by the entire international community outside of Yemen, and also by the media," said Mr. Khalikov. "We need to work together to highlight the needs of the men, women and children whose lives have been disrupted by recent events," he added.

The UN estimates that the latest round of fighting has brought the total number of internally displaced people (IDPs) to 150,000, the majority of whom are women and children. During his four-day mission, Mr. Khalikov visited Al Mazrak camp in Hajjah Governorate, one of five camps established for IDPs, where approximately 2,000 IDPs are taking shelter.

"Widespread deep poverty and previous fighting have stretched people's coping mechanisms to the limit," Mr. Khalikov said. "Visiting the camps, we could see that people have fled with nothing. IDPs urgently need all of the essentials of life: food, water and sanitation, shelter and health care. In this weather, the lack of potable water is a real worry."

Reaching out to those living outside the camps - the majority of the IDPs - is problematic. Many are scattered across open land or living with host families. Thousands more are trapped in the conflict areas, making it harder for aid agencies to reach them. The humanitarian community has extended its reach in some areas through strategic partnerships, and continues to push for humanitarian corridors and zones of tranquility so that vital assistance can get through.

"We have little information about the numbers, needs or living conditions of thousands of civilians who are still in conflict areas," Mr. Khalikov said. "We call for all sides to ensure the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law, and allow us to reach those who require assistance. Working with NGO partners, the UN recently made the first, small-scale distribution of goods within Sa'ada city, and we will continue to explore similar avenues for cooperation."

A high level relief committee has been set up at the centre and the provincial and local authorities are doing their utmost to support the IDPs and facilitate humanitarian assistance, and humanitarian organisations continue to provide assistance as and when possible to IDPs and communities that are hosting them. The distribution of food and non-food items is ongoing to IDPs in and outside the camps.

"The United Nations, partner agencies and local authorities are making every effort to provide the necessary assistance in very challenging circumstances," Mr. Khalikov said. "However, as this conflict continues and needs grow, the capacity for response is becoming overwhelmed. The international community must bolster its support for humanitarian actors to prevent this crisis from becoming a catastrophe."

A Flash Appeal issued in response to this crisis has received no funding since it was launched on 2 September. The Appeal requests US $23.7 million to assist 150,000 IDPs and tens of thousands of others who have been indirectly affected by the conflict.

For further information, please call:

OCHA Sana'a: Nadia Evans, +967712087883, +971502279808, evans2@un.org;

OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, John Nyaga +1 917 367 9262, +1 917 318 8917, nyagaj@un.org

OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int