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UNHCR Yemen Factsheet - March 2013

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Yemen
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UNHCR
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Impact of Humanitarian Crisis on Refugees and IDPs

Yemen remains in the midst of a complex emergency and humanitarian needs continue to grow at an alarming rate. Yemen has been receiving an unprecedented influx of people fleeing from the Horn of Africa across the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea in search of safety, protection and better economic opportunities. However, with the worsening economic situation and insecurity in Yemen, many refugees who were once self-reliant have become increasingly vulnerable.

Yemen also has been experiencing internal displacement. Several rounds of fighting in and around Sa’ada Governorate since 2004 have caused repeated and protracted large-scale internal displacement. Moreover, fighting that began in May 2011 in Abyan Governorate resulted in significant internal displacement; however, since July 2012, as hostilities subsided and security began to improve, over 140,000 IDPs have returned to Abyan. For all IDPs in Yemen, UNHCR, with other humanitarian organizations, is promoting durable solutions, including supporting IDPs who decide to return by providing them with life-saving assistance and monitoring their protection. UNHCR also is providing technical assistance to the Government to develop a national policy for addressing and resolving internal displacement throughout the country.