Yemen Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #6

February 19, 2016

Highlights

UN agencies and ICRC deliver food, relief items, and medical supplies to communities in a largely inaccessible enclave within Ta’izz city

Number of local and international humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen increases

January food imports rise nearly 30 percent as compared to the previous month

Key Developments

On February 13, USAID/FFP partner the UN World Food Program (WFP) delivered emergency food supplies to communities in Al Qahira, one of three districts in a largely inaccessible enclave in Ta’izz city. The delivery comprised 3,000 food rations— containing wheat, pulses, sugar, and vegetable oil—sufficient to support 18,000 people for a one-month period.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also entered the city of Ta’izz on February 13 to deliver 3 metric tons (MT) of medical supplies to four hospitals in the enclave. On February 14, State/PRM partner the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) delivered blankets, mattresses, and other emergency relief items to 1,000 households in the Ta’izz city enclave, marking the UN agency’s first delivery to populations in the city in more than five months.

On February 18, the UN launched the 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), appealing for more than $1.8 billion—including $1.3 billion for immediate life-saving activities—to support humanitarian response programs targeting more than 13.6 million people in Yemen. Activities within the HRP aim to reach nearly 9 million people with food assistance, 7.4 million people with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support, and 10.6 million people with health activities, as well as emergency interventions to treat acute malnutrition. The 2015 Yemen HRP, which requested $1.6 billion, received approximately $892 million, or 56 percent of the total request.

INSECURITY, POPULATION DISPLACEMENT, AND HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

During the launch of the Yemen HRP in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 18, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick reported that continued hostilities and restrictive actions by all parties to the conflict have significantly hindered the delivery of humanitarian assistance. RC/HC McGoldrick reiterated the call for all parties to guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need in all areas of the country, noting the extreme impact of the conflict on civilians and the tireless work of relief organizations to provide aid to populations in need despite security limitations. RC/HC McGoldrick also highlighted that increased attacks on essential civilian and economic infrastructure have pushed basic social services to a near collapse, severely constrained the Yemeni economy, adversely impacted the livelihoods of millions of people, and resulted in more than 21.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Although access to the Ta’izz city enclave—comprising Al Qahira, Mudhafa, and Salah districts—remains constricted and humanitarian deliveries to conflict-affected populations remain insufficient, UN agencies delivered relief supplies and food commodities to populations in need in late January and mid-February. The WFP emergency food delivery on February 13 marked only the second time WFP accessed the enclave since the beginning of the year; on January 21, the UN agency provided 3,000 food parcels to communities in Al Qahira and Mudhafa. Also on February 13, ICRC distributed medical commodities and pharmaceuticals—including surgical and anesthetic supplies, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines for pregnant women—to four hospitals in the enclave. In addition, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) delivered more than 20 MT of medical supplies—including dialysis equipment, pharmaceuticals, and trauma kits—to four hospitals in Ta’izz city on January 29. Despite the delivery, which was blocked for eight weeks, WHO noted that populations within the enclave remain largely inaccessible and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Following the transport of relief supplies to Ta’izz on February 14, UNHCR called on all parties to the conflict to allow regular and sustained humanitarian access to the city and other hard-to-reach areas in Ta’izz Governorate, which currently hosts 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs)—16 percent of the country’s IDP population, according to the UN. As of February 15, UNHCR had provided relief assistance—such as blankets, emergency shelter supplies, and water containers—to approximately 346,500 conflict-affected people, including IDPs, across 20 governorates.

From late March through the end of December 2015, airstrikes and ground fighting resulted in the death or injury of more than 1,900 Yemeni children, according to the UN. The UN also recorded 145 attacks on schools and hospitals; of these, more than 50 percent occurred in Ta’izz Governorate, followed by 17 percent and 12 percent of attacks in Sa’dah and Aden governorates, respectively. In Al Jawf and Marib governorates, the UN reports that fighting has deterred people from seeking humanitarian assistance, and in northern areas of Hajjah and Sa’dah governorates, airstrikes and shelling have hindered humanitarian response activities.

On January 31, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)-led Coalition announced the creation of a commission of inquiry to examine possible abuses against civilians in Yemen. The KSA Ministry of Defense also acknowledged that the Coalition inadvertently struck a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Sa’dah on October 26, 2015. According to the official KSA news agency, a team of experts in international humanitarian law (IHL) will assess and investigate alleged IHL violations with the objective of developing a clear and comprehensive report on each incident, including conclusions, recommendations, and measures that can be taken to ensure civilian protections. According to international media, the announcement followed the leak of a UN report identifying that the Coalition carried out 119 sorties that violated IHL and called for an international commission of inquiry to investigate reports and identify the perpetrators of human rights and IHL violations by all parties to the conflict.

The UN reports that the number of humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen has significantly increased over the past six months, expanding from nearly 70 organizations in June to more than 100 in December. In addition, national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly participating in coordinated relief efforts and response clusters—the coordinating bodies for sector-specific humanitarian activities, comprising UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The UN notes that the role of national implementing partners is increasingly vital due to their greater access to insecure and hard-to-reach areas. The number of international NGOs also increased slightly throughout 2015 from 29 to 31 organizations, and UN agencies increased from eight to nine.

Responding to requests from the international humanitarian community, the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) recently obtained permission to commence humanitarian air operations between Amman, Jordan, and Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a. The once-per-week flight between Amman and Sana’a will begin February 22; UNHAS will also operate twice-weekly round-trip flights between Djibouti and Sana’a.

In early February, UNHCR appealed for more than $115 million in additional funding to support refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen, as well as Yemeni refugees fleeing the country, bringing its total 2016 Yemen-related appeal to more than $172 million, including nearly $126 for activities inside of Yemen. According to UNHCR, prior to the current crisis, Yemen hosted more than 263,900 refugees, the majority from Somalia. Notwithstanding ongoing conflict throughout the country, refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants have continued to arrive in Yemen, with nearly 92,500 arrivals—primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia—in 2015. UNHCR also reports that more than 99,000 conflict-affected people fled Yemen to neighboring countries in 2015, with the majority traveling to Djibouti and Somalia, a trend that is expected to continue in 2016. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 89 percent of migrants at IOM reception centers in Al Hudaydah Governorate and 94 percent of migrants at IOM reception centers in Aden reported experiencing some form of abuse, including physical violence or theft. Furthermore, of the nearly 640 migrants registered by IOM in December, more than 400 experienced abduction, extortion, or torture.

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that January commercial and humanitarian food imports increased by nearly 30 percent as compared to December. Improved supply contributed to a month-to-month decline in prices—the national average price of wheat flour decreased by more than 10 percent in January and ended the month only 2 percent higher than pre-crisis levels. Despite the improvement, food remains scarce and more expensive in acutely conflict-affected areas, including parts of Al Bayda’, Al Jawf, Marib, Sa’dah, and Ta’izz governorates, according to WFP. Furthermore, WFP notes that diminished income earning opportunities and the resultant erosion of purchasing power among conflict-affected populations continues to exacerbate food insecurity, even as food availability increases.

OCHA reports that Yemen’s fuel imports increased significantly in January, totaling more than 464,000 MT as compared to only 82,700 MT in December 2015. January imports fulfill 85 percent of Yemen’s monthly fuel needs, with fuel availability improving in most governorates, particularly in informal markets. Although the average price of fuel in Al Hudaydah, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Lahij, and Sana’a governorates declined slightly from December to January, prices are significantly higher than pre-crisis levels and remain volatile due to ongoing supply constraints, according to a January Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) market survey.

According to the January WFP mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping report, food consumption scores in Dhamar Governorate increased by 12 percent between December and January, potentially a result of the October to January harvest. Despite the improvement, more than 25 percent of all surveyed households reported poor food consumption in January. Additionally, in Al Bayda’, Al Jawf, Raymah, and Ta’izz governorates, one third of households reported poor food consumption.

The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reports that households in conflictaffected areas across 10 governorates continue to experience Emergency—IPC 4—levels of food insecurity, with continued ground fighting and airstrikes exacerbating food needs. In the city of Ta’izz, access constraints and insecurity continue to impede humanitarian operations, limit access to food in local markets, and disrupt livelihoods. Although humanitarian organizations recently assisted some populations in the city, FEWS NET projects that food security will likely continue to deteriorate without improved access and a larger-scale humanitarian response.

In January, WFP distributed food to more than 2.5 million people across 17 governorates. From February 1–15, the UN agency reached more than 530,000 beneficiaries in 12 governorates, with further distributions planned throughout the remainder of the month. WFP aims to support 3 million beneficiaries in February and March and is prioritizing populations in the 10 governorates experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, districts in which at least 20 percent of the population is severely food insecure, districts hosting more than 1,000 IDPs, and all districts in Aden, Sa’dah, and Ta’izz governorates.

Disruptions to oil and gas production contributed to a 25 percent contraction in Yemen’s economy in 2015, according to a recent World Bank report. The report notes that conflict-related job losses have exacerbated poverty throughout the country; as of early 2016, approximately 82 percent of people were extremely impoverished—a 30 percent increase as compared to March 2015. The World Bank underscores that damaged infrastructure, high levels of unemployment, and significant humanitarian needs could cause poor economic conditions to persist post-conflict. Preliminary estimates from a World Bank multi-sector damage assessment—implemented in collaboration with the UN and NGOs—across several governorates suggest that repairs to civilian infrastructure in the cities of Aden, Sana’a, Ta’izz, and Zinjibar could cost up to $5 billion.

From October–December 2015, three USAID/FFP-supported NGOs distributed food baskets to more than 15,700 households in Hadramawt, Ibb, Lahij, Sana’a, Raymah, and Ta’izz governorates. Two of the NGOs also conducted a series of food-for-training seminars, during which more than 800 people in Lahij and Sana’a received food vouchers in exchange for attending WASH education seminars, including sessions on environmental hygiene, hand washing, and maintenance of safe drinking water sources.

From January 16–30, a USAID/OFDA partner conducted livelihood support activities—including agricultural capacity building and cash-for-work programs—in Ad Dali’, Al Hudaydah, Ibb, and Raymah governorates. During the reporting period, the NGO selected eight agricultural cooperatives in Al Hudaydah and Raymah to receive financial support and technical training. The NGO is also improving food access across the four governorates by supporting household-level agricultural production and income-generation activities targeting approximately 5,600 people.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

In a February 16 briefing to the UN Security Council, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) Stephen O’Brien reported that chronic drug shortages, unpaid salaries, and conflict-related destruction has resulted in more than 14.1 million Yemenis experiencing inadequate access to health care services. ERC O’Brien reported that since March 2015, nearly 600 health facilities have closed, including 220 that provided treatment for acute malnutrition. The recently released Yemen HRP requests urgent health support for more than 10.6 million people and highlights the critical need for emergency interventions to treat acute malnutrition.

Beginning January 9, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the implementation of the polio and measles– rubella vaccination campaign, including community engagement activities. According to preliminary reports, the campaign had reached more than 3.9 million children with polio vaccines and more than 2.3 million children, including nearly 8,000 in hard-to-access locations, with measles–rubella vaccines as of January 26.

UNICEF also provided health and nutrition interventions to more than 40,000 people across Yemen from January 13–26. During the same period, the UN agency established more than 60 outpatient treatment programs in Sa’dah for children experiencing severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Additionally, UNICEF is distributing 30,000 cartons of specialized nutritional supplements to treat approximately 37,500 children with SAM across 12 governorates. The UN estimates that more than 1.3 million children younger than five years of age are acutely malnourished.

Through USAID/FFP support, community volunteers reached nearly 3,000 people in Dhamar Governorate with child nutrition and hygiene awareness campaigns between October and December 2015. Additionally, community members trained by the USAID/FFP partner reached nearly 1,300 mothers of young children and more than 550 pregnant women with childcare education sessions.

A USAID/OFDA partner is supporting community-based management of acute malnutrition in areas of Abyan, Aden, Lahij, and Shabwah, screening more than 400 children across the four governorates for acute malnutrition from January 15–31. During the same period, the NGO treated more than 70 children for SAM and nearly 120 for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), including through the provision of ready-to-use therapeutic foods. The NGO also provided technical support and training to staff at facilities providing nutrition interventions.

Through USAID/OFDA support, another NGO is providing health, nutrition, and WASH assistance to conflictaffected people in Abyan, Aden, Lahij, and Shabwah governorates. From January 15–31, the NGO provided health care services—including immunizations, pediatric care, and reproductive health consultations—to more than 4,800 people across the four governorates. During the same period, the NGO screened more than 400 children for acute malnutrition and treated nearly 200 cases of MAM and SAM. The partner is also increasing access to safe drinking water for approximately 11,200 people in Abyan and Shabwah through daily water trucking.

WASH

Through local implementing partners, UNICEF continues to reach some of the most-affected communities in Ta’izz Governorate, as well as other conflict-affected areas of the country. Between January 13–26, UNICEF supported local water corporations to increase access to safe drinking water for nearly 1.3 million people across five governorates. UNICEF also provided fuel to 28 water projects that supply water to more than 147,000 people across six districts of Sa’dah Governorate.

ICRC supported the food, health, and WASH needs of conflict-affected populations in Yemen throughout 2015, conducting nearly 140 food and relief commodity distributions throughout the year, reaching nearly 110,000 people with blankets, household goods, and hygiene kits, and providing food to an estimated 180,000 people. In addition, 2.2 million people benefited from the organization’s WASH programs, which included infrastructure rehabilitation projects in Abyan, Aden, Ad Dali’, and Tai’zz governorates, the construction of nearly 30 water distribution points in Sana’a and Tai’zz governorates, and waste management activities in Aden, Al Bayda’, Sa’dah, Sana’a, and Ta’izz. ICRC also distributed medical and surgical supplies to more than 100 health facilities across 15 governorates—enabling nearly 15,000 surgeries and more than 26,000 treatments—and supported 18 primary health care centers that provided medications and supplies to approximately 300,000 people.

On February 9, the UN Development Program (UNDP) announced the expansion of its emergency solid waste management program to areas of Aden and Sa’dah. The program—launched on January 25 in Ta’izz Governorate— employs vulnerable youth to restore conflict-disrupted waste removal services. UNDP estimates that 680,000 people across Aden, Sa’dah, and Ta’izz will benefit from the project.

Between January 16–31, community volunteers trained by a USAID/OFDA-supported NGO conducted more than 480 hygiene awareness sessions, reaching nearly 27,000 people in Sana’a Governorate. Additionally, the NGO is rehabilitating WASH facilities in Al Mukallah city, Hadramawt Governorate. The NGO also distributed blankets and mattresses to IDPs in Ta’izz Governorate, with additional distributions planned for the coming weeks.

Through USAID/OFDA support, an NGO delivered nearly 4.2 million liters of water to distribution points in Abyan, Aden, and Lahij from February 1–13. During the same period, the NGO also provided 500 households in Abyan with hygiene kits and reached more than 13,000 people in Abyan and Lahij with hygiene education activities.

OTHER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

KSA humanitarian organization King Salman (KS) Relief recently distributed more than 6,000 food baskets to approximately 3,000 conflict-affected households in Al Jawf Governorate. The distribution is part of KS Relief’s broader plan to deliver 100,000 food baskets to vulnerable households throughout Yemen.

On February 13, the Government of Turkey (GoT), in coordination with the Turkish Red Crescent Society and six Turkish aid organizations, finalized a humanitarian shipment carrying an estimated 6,000 MT of relief supplies to Yemen. The shipment, which is expected to arrive at Yemen’s Aden Port in the coming weeks, comprises food commodities, including flour, oil, pasta, rice, sugar, and tomato paste, as well as some medical supplies. Since May 2015, the GoT has contributed more than 4,400 food parcels and 6 MT of medical supplies to support humanitarian activities in Yemen.

On February 9, the Government of Japan (GoJ) announced $42 million in additional funding for response activities in Yemen, including cash-for-work programs, food provision, and health care support. The GoJ reports that UN agencies, ICRC, and Japanese NGOs, in coordination with local partners, will implement the planned humanitarian projects. Since 2012, Japan has contributed more than $200 million in humanitarian assistance for Yemen.

On January 31, the Qatar Red Crescent Society announced that it had completed distributions of winterization items, including blankets and clothing, benefitting approximately 18,000 people across five governorates. The winterization assistance targeted highly vulnerable conflict-affected individuals, such as children with special needs and orphans.

PUBLIC DONATION INFORMATION

The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. A list of humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for disaster responses around the world can be found at www.interaction.org.

USAID encourages cash donations because they allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time, and warehouse space); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance.

More information can be found at:
- USAID Center for International Disaster Information: www.cidi.org or +1.202.821.1999.
- Information on relief activities of the humanitarian community can be found at www.reliefweb.int.