Attachments
Key Figures
- 20.7 million people in need
- 1,988,946 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- 81% of IDPs displaced for more than a year
- 900,258 IDP returnees
- 865,121 recipients of NFIs since March 2015
- 280,096 refugees and asylum seekers
Funding
- USD 114.6 million requested for IDPs and refugees in Yemen for 2017
Operational Update
Latest UN figures indicate that the cholera outbreak in Yemen continues to spread, with the number of suspected cases now surpassing 313,000. The epidemic is considered the world’s largest, and efforts are well under way for a comprehensive humanitarian-system wide response, expanded to include all Agencies. UNHCR is enhancing its response in close coordination with WHO, UNICEF and authorities, in lead of the cholera response. Support will be on two levels, both on management and coordination, including presence of UNHCR public heath staff at Emergency Operation Centres, and implementation, such as procurement of supplies, distribution and outreach.
At the same time, UNHCR teams across the country are working to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs), IDP returnees and refugees as ongoing insecurity continues to displace families. Protection, non-food items (NFI) and shelter assistance continued to reach those most in need, despite access challenges.
IDP Response
UNHCR’s country-wide efforts to disburse rental subsidies to 9,200 vulnerable displaced and IDP returnee families is ongoing. The US $300 subsidy covers three months’ worth of rental costs and following a home assessment, is distributed through money transfer services. In the conflict-affected governorate of Hajjah, 1,000 households have received the subsidy through partner Al Amal, ensuring their access to safe and dignified shelter. Across Sa’ada, Sana’a, Hudaydah, Dhamar, Marib and Amran Governorates, 2,175 families have received the subsidy. In Aden, Lahj and Taizz, distribution for 2,255 households through partner INTERSOS will soon follow.
A UNHCR rehabilitation project to improve the war-impacted homes of 1,080 families is underway in southern Yemen. The assessment for the identification of vulnerable beneficiaries for home repairs is complete, with UNHCR partner, Society for Humanitarian Solidarity (SHS), identifying Yemeni families in need across Aden, Lahj and in Al-Dhale’e Governorates. So far 210 families have received the shelter assistance, and the remaining households are expected to receive the cash grant shortly in order to begin home repairs.
Assistance to flood affected IDPs in Abs district, Hajjah Governorate. Following a rapid assessment, UNHCR, through partner Abs Development Organisation, provided emergency assistance including NFIs and emergency shelter kits to 574 displaced families. The population were in acute need following heavy storms, which caused severe damage to the shelters of the displaced community.
Refugee Response
UNHCR continues to confront the cholera epidemic in areas with a high concentration of refugees, through supported health and community centres, early case detection/ surveillance and referral services. In Sana’a, UNHCR’s partner is carrying out a cholera prevention campaign through 55 community mobilizers, with prevention sessions taking place at health facilities, refugee community centers, dissemination of translated materials to refugees and surrounding host communities, active case identification and promotion of early seeking healthcare services for suspected cases. UNHCR has also initiated an awareness campaign through volunteers of the Community Based Protection Network in five northern Governorates. In the South, community based outreach focusing on hygiene and prevention continues, along with training of health workers. Distribution of jerry cans, chlorine tablets and soap is also underway for all families in Kharaz refugee camp and for vulnerable families in Basateen.
UNHCR, in close coordination with IOM, Yemen authorities and the Somali Consul, are working toward the roll out of the Assisted Spontaneous Return (ASR) programme for Somali refugees. So far, almost 500 individuals have been counselled at established return help desks in Kharaz camp and Basateen in the south of Yemen. Somalis have received information on conditions in return locations in Somalia and detailed information on the voluntary return process. Protection assistance is also taking place, with over half of those signing up for ASR referred for comprehensive case management due to potential protection concerns, including specialized support for unaccompanied minors.