The evolving situation in Yemen has led to a change in the format of the Yemen Situation Report. The new Humanitarian Update will be published every second week. This first report covers the period between 5 and 19 November. The next report will be issued on or around 3 December
Key Points
- The majority of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are not living in camps. Access to these groups in particular remains a serious concern and ways to increase aid provision to these IDPs need to be devised and trengthened.
- The already critical humanitarian situation has been compounded by clashes on 5 November involving the Saudi army; As a result, displacement from Sa'ada to Al-Mazrak camp in Haradh has increased sharply.
- Supply lines into Sa'ada Governorate continue to face regular blockades, and a large proportion of the affected population remains trapped by the conflict in certain areas of Al-Jawf, Amran and Sa'ada Governorates.
I. Situation Overview
According to media reports, Saudi airstrikes were launched in the Saudi-Yemeni border area on 5 November, after gunmen infiltrated into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA),. These recent developments in the conflict have exacerbated an already dire situation, reportedly causing some 200 villages along the border to be evacuated and more than 50 schools to be closed. Displacement has increased significantly. Many have fled to Hajjah Governorate, where the number of arrivals to Al-Mazrak camp currently stands at some 150 families per day – a significant increase from the 20-30 families arriving per day in the weeks prior to clashes at the border. Overcrowding in the camp is becoming a major concern. IDPs are being accommodated in temporary locations until the opening of Al-Mazrak camp II by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent. A new Al-Mazrak camp III will also be shortly established once the land allocation is finalized.
Incidents of fighting in Harf Sufyan continue. The sound of fighting can be heard in and around the Khaiwan IDP settlement on a daily basis. On 11 November, a shell landed close to the settlement, creating a wave of panic among IDPs and causing women and children to flee. These IDPs later returned due to a lack of alternative options. Humanitarian actors remain seriously concerned about the security situation in the settlement. . Due to the insecurity and until appropriate measures are taken by authorities to ensure effective protection of both IDPs and humanitarian workers, only life-saving activities will be carried out by humanitarian actors.
Approximately 1,040 displaced people have been deported from KSA, many of whom were held in detention centres prior to deportation.
II. Humanitarian Needs and Gaps
Sa'ada Governorate
Although access to Sa'ada city and surrounding areas has moderately improved over the last two weeks, access monitoring will need to continue as the overall situation remains fragile and unpredictable.
Amran Governorate
Options for an alternative site the Khaiwan IDP settlement in Amran Governorate have been explored and do not seem feasible due to land ownership issues. However, it has been identified that if assistance is effectively provided to IDPs outside the camps there will not be a need for a camp in this area. Effective distribution of aid to IDPs living in host communities will mean that IDPs are not compelled to live in a camp, and those currently living at the Khaiwan site may be drawn out. Assistance and aid distribution is taking place in and around Khaiwan, but under severe security constraints and risks.
There is widespread discrimination against IDPs in host communities, partly due to lack of awareness. A need for a campaign to raise awareness among host communities has been identified. Additionally, the protection cluster has identified a great need for psycho social support in the governorate, as it is children who have been most seriously affected by the conflict, particularly in Khamir district, where many are traumatised.
An Islamic Relief Yemen mission to Houth found that the situation of the IDP population is particularly precarious in the area, with a majority from the traditionally marginalised Al-Akhdam community. The mission confirmed the need for assistance, especially additional NFIs, to help IDPs cope with the harsh conditions. A number of unregistered IDPs were identified, and measures have been taken to meet their needs in terms of registration and provision of relief items.
Hajjah Governorate
Recent fighting at the Saudi-Yemeni border has created a large backlog of registration in Haradh, due to increased IDP arrivals in the area. UNHCR will supply technical equipment to cope with this backlog. New arrivals to Al-Mazrak Camp I have caused overcrowding and increased the need for the swift opening of Al-Mazrak Camp II.
The Education Cluster has identified a need to find a way to provide education to older children in the camp (grades 6-9). These children currently have no education options, as there are no schools in close proximity to the camp which can cater for the needs of this age group.
Al-Jawf Governorate
Access for assistance remains limited to one district (Al-Matammah), impeding humanitarian assistance to several hundreds of IDPs stranded in the northern part of the Governorate. A UN assessment mission to Al-Jawf was invited by the government and also received initial security clearance from the Government, but this was later revoked. The UN is advocating for clearance to go ahead with this mission.
Sana'a City
On 15 November an assessment took place to establish IDP needs in Sana'a. IDP registration figures are being crosschecked: there are currently around 750 families. The Government prefers not to have a distinct food distribution centre in Sana'a. However, the mayor has stated that the Government will provide food for IDPs in Sana'a for a month, after which WFP will begin distributions.
