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Hundreds have fled Rada’a district in al-Baida governorate recently due to violent clashes between al-Qaeda affiliates and security forces.
As a result, an estimated 500 internally displaced families have arrived in Dhamar governorate, placing pressure on local communities and governorate resources, according to a statement issued by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Mohammed al-Dahab, a member of a family that personally houses refugees in Dhamar said, “These families were worried as they arrived 13 days after they had heard the news of security campaigns and clashes,” he said.
“The refugees are not confident that the property they left behind is safe and have no ideas how many damages they have sustained,” he added.
The influx of refugees has had a detrimental impact on the price of rent and goods in Dhamar.
According to Al-Dahab, monthly rental costs, which usually stand at YR30,000 ($140) a month, have soared to YR50,000 ($230).
“The security forces have secured the exodus of refugees by enabling them to walk along confined roads in stable areas. The situation has somehow calmed, but we don’t advise the refugees to go back right now as we have no idea what will happen during the upcoming period,” said a security source in Rada’a.
Zaid Al-Alia, a media affairs assistant at UNHCR said local and international organizations are offering help to the refugees.
“UNHCR has distributed 505 different types of materials, including mattresses, blankets for every refugee family in coordination with local authorities,” Al-Alia said.
Al-Alia said a large number of the refugees are children and elderly.
“Many refugees are in urgent need of medical care,” he said.
Hajar Mosa, a senior protection officer at UNHCR in Sana’a said in a press statement that the accommodation the refugees currently live in are overcrowded and overpopulated. In some cases, there are up to four families living under one roof. According to residents of Manaseh, in Al-Baida governorate, the clashes have causes damage to houses, farms and markets. However, the total cost of the damage remains uncalculated.
Original article | 
