ReliefWeb

Key issues:

• The US$2.01 billion that was pledged last week by donors, if fully disbursed, will account for almost 70 per cent of the 2018 YHRP funding requirements.

• Humanitarian response activities are ongoing in northern governorates despite intensified airstrikes and fighting, especially in Sa’ada and Al Jawf.

• Analysis shows that more than 57 per cent of all districts were impacted by conflict in 2017; the worst affected witnessed daily airstrikes or armed clashes.

High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

Co-hosted by the United Nations, Switzerland and Sweden, the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen was held in Geneva on 3 April. The event brought together participants from 64 Member States, regional organizations, UN agencies, international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) and Yemeni national NGOs. Participants pledged a total of US$2.01 billion for the humanitarian response in Yemen. If fully disbursed through the 2018 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP), these pledges will account for almost 70 per cent of the YHRP funding requirements this year. The pledges were made by 40 Member States and organizations, including the Central Emergency Response Fund. Donors recognized the effectiveness of pooled funds, with 13 donors pledging contributions to the Yemen Humanitarian Fund.

The Geneva event was also intended to raise awareness of the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Yemen; advocate for urgent action by the international community to address growing and acute humanitarian needs; highlight the capacity and commitment of humanitarian partners to meet all targets in the 2018 YHRP; promote respect for International Humanitarian Law and human rights; advocate for protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel; safe and unimpeded access and accountability; and advocate for an urgent cessation of

Updates from the humanitarian hubs

Sa’ada Hub: Humanitarian response activities are ongoing in Sa’ada Hub, despite intensified airstrikes and fighting especially in the frontline districts of Sa’ada and Al Jawf governorates. Displacement due to conflict, civilian casualties and damage to houses and farms are reported. Unverified reports from local authorities indicate that while about 500 households have returned to Al Dhaher and Shada’a districts, more than 600 households have recently been displaced from Razih and Monabbih to Sahar, As Safa’a and Sa’adah districts.

During the reporting period, humanitarian partners continued the distribution of cash assistance through local implementing partners in Sa’ada and Al Jawf governorates, targeting 37,600 beneficiaries in Sa’ada and 50,000 in Al Jawf. The distribution will continue until the end of April.
Distribution of emergency shelter assistance to 500 displaced households from Kitaf in Nasreen area, Sa’adah district, is ongoing.

Aden Hub: The number of IDPs who are reported to have fled to the southern governorates since last December has increased to over 9,500 households with a surge of new arrivals reported over the last week. Notable were 244 new households arriving in Abyan governorate and another 298 households reported in the district of Al Mukha in Taizz. All appear to be fleeing the front lines in southern Al Hudaydah and in Taizz governorates. Rapid response partners are coordinating the verification/assessment and the response to the new arrivals.

A health assessment in Usaylan and Bayhan districts in Shabwah governorate has found that limited health services are being provided to recently displaced people. The Health Cluster is working with partners to address the gaps. Other recent assessments show varying needs across southern governorates. In the Al Mishkafa IDP temporary settlement in Lahj governorate, key needs include health, water and sanitation, and shelter. City. Airstrikes were also reported in Jabal Ras, At Tuhayat,
Zabid, Bayt Al Faqih, and Hays districts, with no reported civilian casualties. In Hajjah governorate, local authorities reported that 142 families have fled military operations in Midi district to neighbouring Abs. Fighting and airstrikes were also reported in Haradh and Bani Qais districts. Humanitarian partners are planning a vaccination campaign following reports of an increase in suspected measles cases. Between 1 January and 31 March, 131 suspected cases were reported in Hudaydah with two associated deaths. A malaria spraying campaign is also planned in Al Luheyah and Az Zuhrah districts where reports of increased cases have been received. Malaria is endemic along the Red Sea coast of Yemen.

Ibb Hub: Staff at Al Mudhaffar hospital in Taizz governorate have called for urgent support to keep the hospital functioning and for their salary payments to be reinstated after almost 15 months. The hospital receives 350-500 patients every day, but lacks fuel, oxygen and medical and therapeutic supplies. WHO is planning to support the hospital from its office in Aden.

An assessment in Al Mukha and Dhubab districts in Taizz has identified water and sanitation, shelter, food and health needs. The assessment which was conducted by Adenbased partners recommended interventions including multi-purpose cash assistance, maintenance of wells, general food distribution and other responses related to protection and shelter. One partner is verifying needs amongst 3,000 households in Al Mukha and Dhubab before initiating the distribution of non-food items.

Sana’a Hub: Although Sana’a hub saw aerial attacks, including in areas not too far from the international airport and in Faj Attan area in As Sabain district in Sana’a city on 4 and 5 April; the Protection Cluster’s weekly monitoring report for 22-28 March notes a decrease in incidents to five compared to eight in the previous reporting period.
Of these, four incidents were reported in Sirwah in western Marib and included airstrikes and shelling. No civilian casualties were reported, but 20 farms and six houses were understood to be damaged. In Al Bayda and Amran governorates, fighting and airstrikes reportedly resulted in casualties. The fighting also temporarily blocked the road from Al Bayda to Marib.