Yemen Crisis.

Please take the time to read the following press release from UNHCR regarding conflict in northern Yemen which is forcing hundreds of people into refugee camps.

 Heavy fighting forces 2,000 persons to flee in to Al Mazrak camp last

weekend

UNHCR is extremely concerned about the recent escalation of the
conflict in northern Yemen and its impact on civilian population. 

Displaced families from embattled Sa’ada governorate continue to
arrive to Al Mazrak camp in Hajja governorate where the past two days
have seen a significant increase in the number of arrivals. On average,
130 to 140 families arrived to Al Mazrak camp both on Saturday and
Sunday and another 80 families yesterday – in total some 2,000 people.

UNHCR again appeal for the protection of civilians and secure and
unhindered access for humanitarian workers to deliver much needed
assistance. 

Elderly people, single mothers and children represent the majority of
new arrivals in Al Mazrak camp. Most of them are coming from Khuba area
where they had taken refuge after having fled the fighting of Sa’ada
Governorate. This means it is their second or third displacement. The Al
Mazrak camp, now hosting some 8,700 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),
has been reorganized and extended to accommodate the new arrivals.
Another 11,000 IDPs are sheltered by host families and communities in
this part of Yemen.

This weekend we airlifted a shipment of emergency relief items from
UNHCR’s central emergency stockpile in Dubai. The IL-76 aircraft
landed in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a on Saturday carrying large
tents and prefabricated warehouses that will improve the delivery of aid
and services to the people in need. The tents will allow IDP community
centres to be set up in various locations – including a centre for women
in Al Mazrak camp. The prefabricated warehouses will enhance UNHCR
storage and capacity distribution in the operation. 

Meanwhile, our office in Riyadh was informed yesterday by the Saudi
authorities that the situation at the Alp border is stable, allowing
UNHCR to continue its cross-border activities. We are hopeful that we
will receive the security clearances from the Saudi authorities for the
next aid convoy in the coming days. UNHCR’s assistance will complement
the Yemeni government's food and aid also arriving in the area.

We now estimate some 175,000 people have been affected by the conflict
since 2004, including those displaced by the latest fighting. They are
now living in the newly established Haradh and Al Mazrak camps and in
urban and rural areas of Hajjah, Amran, Al Jawf and Sana’a
governorates, as well as in government camps in Baqim. End

Thanks for your time. Billy Briggs. www.billybriggs.co.uk