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YEMEN: Upcoming flash appeal to tackle IDP problem

SANAA, 27 August 2009 (IRIN) - The UN and international aid organizations are calling for more help to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Yemen as a result of clashes between government forces and a Shia rebel group.

“Currently, we are estimating that there are about 150,000 internally displaced persons [IDPs] who are a direct target group, and in addition to that there are others who could be affected by the armed conflict,” UN Resident Coordinator for Yemen Pratibha Metha told IRIN. “UN agencies and partners have insufficient resources to meet this target group.”

Yemen‘s UN country team will be launching a flash appeal - in conjunction with other international organizations operating in the country, and the Yemeni government - in early September.

Mehta said the flash appeal would help the humanitarian community establish IDP camps in governorates near Saada; and help the UN and its partners create a humanitarian action plan for the months ahead. All humanitarian activities beyond the flash appeal’s December end date would be part of the 2010 global appeals’ process, Mehta added.

Health Ministry reports indicate the humanitarian situation in Saada Governorate is dire, according to the UN country team; and UN agencies said many IDPs who had fled to Hajjah Governorate lacked shelter and clean water.

“This is the first time that IDPs are actually fleeing out of the Saada governorate, so it requires new IDP camps,” Mehta told IRIN. “Their needs start with food and water, but also include other essential non-food items [like] sanitation and health.”

Fighting between the government and the Shia rebels, commonly referred to as the Houthis, started in 2004, and has flared up at various times over the past five years.

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Theme(s): (IRIN) Aid Policy, (IRIN) Refugees/IDPs

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Copyright © IRIN 2009
This material comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States.
IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.