As open conflict escalates in Yemen, DFID is giving an additional £2 million to help the many thousands displaced by the fighting.
09 October 2009
DFID has today announced £2 million extra funding for vital humanitarian aid for those affected by the escalating conflict in Northern Yemen.
It will be used to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services, food, health care, assistance to malnourished children, and shelter and relief items.
The money has been provided to help reduce immediate security and protection threats, and boost coordination within the humanitarian response effort.
It will boost efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for assistance and protection activities for victims of the conflict, and go to UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working under the UN Flash Appeal for Yemen.
The conflict between the Government of Yemen and the Al-Houthi movement in Sa’dah Governorate in northern Yemen escalated into open hostilities for a sixth time in August of this year. Clashes between the Government of Yemen’s security forces and Al Houthi groups have now spread to many areas of Sa’dah Governorate and beyond, into neighbouring governorates such as Al Jawf.
The UN estimates that there are approximately 150,000 people who have been internally displaced (IDPs) since the conflict began in 2004. Accurate figures of IDPs are not available due to heavy constraints on access in affected areas.
As part of a recent visit to Yemen to help DFID's response to the Flash Appeal, humanitarian advisor, Katy Attfield, visited the Al-Masraq camp in North-West Yemen with OCHA director, Rashid Khalikov and a group of journalists.
The camp is near the town of Haradh, in Hajjah Governorate, close to the border with Saudi Arabia, and about six hours’ drive from the capital Sana’a.
It is now the only IDP camp in a safe area.
The four other established camps are all in Sa’dah Governorate, including the town itself. One has closed due to its proximity to the fighting and the other three are hard to access by aid workers.
During DFID's visit, there were approximately 5,000 people living in the camp; there are at least 1,000 more people there today.
Several thousand more live in scattered tents or shelters in the surrounding area, keen to keep away from the conflict area to the North-East. Most are from the town of Malahit, to the North-East, which has suffered from fierce fighting for weeks.
The majority of the camp inhabitants are women and children and armed police help to keep the camp safe from of attack from Al-Houthi fighters.
Part of DFID's latest funding will also provide funds to Islamic Relief, who have agreed to help UNHCR with security at the camp.
Work to tackle health problems is ongoing and clinics have been set up by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.
DFID money will also help UNICEF and Save the Children for nutrition and hygiene promotion.
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Water is scarce at the Al-Masraq IDP camp in North-West Yemen
