The conflict has now spread to 13 districts in Sa’ada and neighbouring governorates including Amran, and civilians continue to be killed and injured on a daily basis. However, health facilities are struggling to continue operating, leading to concerns over outbreaks of disease. Food shortages Many basic necessities are no longer available in the market. Food in Sa’ada is running low and the cost of what is available has risen dramatically, but people are afraid to leave their homes to travel to the markets. There are also shortages of fuel and frequent blackouts, and all communication lines are currently down. Because of the volatile security situation, few humanitarian workers are able to get access to those still trapped in the conflict zone. Overcrowded camps Those who have managed to flee from Sa’ada have travelled further south to neighbouring governorates such as Hajjah, Amran and Al Jowf or tried to cross the border into Saudi Arabia. Some are staying with friends and relatives; others are living in public buildings such as schools, while an increasing number have settled in overcrowded camps and in informal settlements along the road. With a growing number of displaced people and continued insecurity, aid agencies are struggling to provide all the necessary basic services. There are also concerns that overcrowding and limited health services, could lead to serious health problems. There are currently more than 16,200 displaced people living in Al Mazrak 1 camp near Haradh which is being managed by Islamic Relief, and the numbers are growing on a daily basis. Al Mazrak 1 now houses more than double its intended capacity, with more people camped outside waiting for assistance. To ease the pressure on this camp, Islamic Relief has set up and is running Al Mazrak 3 which currently houses around 800 people. Psychological trauma Inside the camps over 80 per cent of the residents are women and children, many of whom are suffering from trauma. There are also many health problems with around one third of the children in the camp suffering from malnutrition. With no end to the conflict in sight there is an urgent need to ensure that all the displaced people are provided with food, shelter, healthcare and protection, as well as extending to the same support to those still trapped in the conflict zone.
Yemen Emergency
The latest round of violent conflict between government forces and Al Houthi rebels has been raging in northern Yemen since August 2009. The fighting has displaced more than 250,000 people, mainly women and children. People have fled south where some have sought refuge in camps, while others are living in makeshift shelters by the side of the road or with local host families.
IR response to Yemen emergency
Islamic Relief is one of a handful of aid agencies that is operating inside the conflict zone in Sa’ada and assisting the displaced people in Hajjah.
Islamic Relief has been assisting those affected by the conflict in northern Yemen since the fighting intensified in August 2009. Currently we are managing Al Mazrak 1 camp in Haradh and have set up Al Mazrak 3. We are also continuing to distribute emergency food to people in Sa’ada and Amran. Camp for displaced people
Al Mazrak 1 has grown rapidly since it was set up in October 2009 and now houses more than 16,200 people, with more arriving every day.
The camp provides people who have fled their homes with shelter, food, healthcare, clean water and education. Around one-third of the children in the camp are malnourished and so a nutrition centre has been set up to provide them with nutritional support.
The majority of the population of the camp are children, many of whom are vulnerable to psychological trauma and abuse. Islamic Relief is running child protection programmes as well as providing traumatised children with psychosocial counselling.
The camp has been designed to offer privacy and to conform to the cultural norms of the local community. There are areas where people can keep their livestock as well as play areas, community centres and training centres.
New camp
Al Mazrak 1 camp was originally constructed to accommodate 10,000 people and has been re-designed several times to hold the additional people. However, many families are still living outside the camp waiting for urgent assistance.
To help relieve the pressure on Al Mazrak 1, Islamic Relief has set up the new Al Mazrak 3 camp, and 800 displaced people have already moved in. This camp will house a further 1,000 families, many of whom been camping outside of Al Mazrak 1 with nowhere to go and in desperate need of assistance.
Like Al Mazrak 1, this second camp has been designed to provide people with all their basic needs including shelter, clean water and sanitation facilities, healthcare, food and social support. It has been designed and purpose-built by Islamic Relief to ensure that it is organised and meets the needs of its inhabitants.
Food distributions
Since fresh fighting began in northern Yemen in August 2009, Islamic Relief has been the main partner of the UN World Food Programme distributing emergency food aid to those trapped inside Sa’ada. Very few aid agencies are currently working in this region but despite the ongoing threats our aid workers have continued to deliver aid to those most in need.
Islamic Relief is continuing to provide monthly food parcels to people in Sa’ada and Amran, and will continue with these distributions for the coming months. So far, more than 47,000 people affected by the conflict have benefitted from these distributions of emergency food aid.
Islamic Relief is rapidly expanding its work in Yemen to meet the needs of those displaced by the violence