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