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Humanitarian Coordinator concerned over situation in Amran Governorate

Countries
Yemen
Sources
UN RC/HC Yemen
Publication date

Sana’a, 10 April 2014 – The Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen has called on parties to the situation in Amran Governorate to avoid further escalation of the conflict and allow humanitarian partners full and unfettered access to people affected, to ensure the delivery of assistance and effective protection of civilians.

The call comes amid reports of high tension in the northern Yemeni governorate, where tens of thousands of people displaced by conflict in recent months remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

“Humanitarian partners in Yemen have scaled-up their presence and response to the needs of those displaced and other people who have been affected by recent violence in Amran,” said Mr. Johannes Van Der Klaauw. “Should current tensions in Amran escalate into violence; humanitarian partners will not be able to deliver much needed assistance, particularly to Amran City.”

“Efforts by the Government to mediate between parties to the conflict in Amran are commendable, but it is important that the truce is maintained so that humanitarian partners can reach all those in need,” the Humanitarian Coordinator added, referring to a temporary truce brokered between Government forces and non-state armed groups. “I urge parties to the conflict to fully observe their duty to protect civilians and to provide unfettered access for humanitarian actors to civilian populations in need.”

By early April, humanitarian partners had delivered food and non-food assistance to almost 13,500 newly displaced people from the area: 11,354 in Amran City and 2,128 in Sana’a. Humanitarian partners are also planning to strengthen livelihood opportunities for the conflict-affected and displaced people in Amran, to address long-term consequences after years of conflict in the Governorate. The Emergency Response Fund, which is managed by UN OCHA, has prioritized funding for projects in Amran , and has approved US$1.35 million for national organizations supporting displaced people and host communities in the Governorate.

Recent localized conflicts in Amran, Sa’ada, Al Jawf and Al Dhale’e governorates have exacerbated the vulnerability of people living there. In 2014, almost 60 per cent of Yemen’s population require humanitarian assistance to meet their most basic needs. “The level of humanitarian needs in Yemen is among the highest globally,” said Mr. van der Klaauw. In 2014, humanitarian partners need US$592 million to meet the needs of 7.6 million most vulnerable people in Yemen.

For further information, please contact:

Ogoso Erich, Public Information Officer, OCHA Yemen – tel 967 712 222 831, email – ogoso@un.org

Trond Jensen, Head of Office, OCHA Yemen – tel 967 712 222 207 – email – jensen8@un.org