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Yemen

2015 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview

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KEY HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

An estimated 15.9 million people – or 61 per cent of the population – need some form of humanitarian assistance in Yemen, an increase of 8 per cent since last year. The rise is primarily due to expanding conflict, growing arrivals of migrants and refugees, and population growth in areas with poor access to even the most basic services.

Food insecurity and malnutrition

Despite narrow improvements, nearly half of Yemenis still struggle with food insecurity and malnutrition. 10.6 million Yemenis are unable to meet their food needs, including 5 million who are severely food insecure. In addition, 1.6 million people require nutrition services – including 850,000 acutely malnourished children, of whom 160,000 are severely acutely malnourished. Recent improvements appear mainly attributable to humanitarian assistance and could be lost without continuing support.

Lack of water, sanitation health and other basic services

An estimated 13.4 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and 12 million have no proper sanitation facilities. 8.4 million people lack access to basic health care, and mothers are 57 per cent more likely to die in childbirth than elsewhere in the Arab World. Failing basic services threaten the health and development of more than half of Yemenis and contribute to child malnutrition and disease outbreaks. These figures have not changed substantially since last year.

Conflict, insecurity and displacement

Localized conflicts displaced about 80,000 people in Yemen in 2014.
Most returned home shortly after conflict ended. However, some 335,000 Yemenis remain in protracted displacement, mainly in the north. As of late 2014, 215,000 IDPs had returned home, but many struggle to resume normal lives due to a lack of livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, contamination from unexploded ordnance (UXO) and weak rule of law.

Rights violations, exploitation and other forms of abuse

Conflict and weak rule of law leave many Yemenis in need of protection from rights violations, exploitation and other forms of abuse. Human rights abuses, gender- based violence and violations of child rights all remain widespread – particularly in conflict-affected areas. Refugees and migrants – whose numbers are increasing – are especially vulnerable to abuse, including human trafficking.

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