Fighting between the Government of Yemen and Al Houthi tribal groups has intensified in recent days, resulting in additional displacement of population and straining the coping mechanisms of populations caught in the conflict. Available information suggests that as many as 35,000 IDPs live in Sa’ada city and surrounding areas, in addition to tens of thousands of residents. Reports from humanitarian actors indicate that there is no water and no electricity in the city. There is also a shortage of fuel and it is becoming increasingly dangerous and hard for the people to reach the market to get food. Many health facilities are non-functional, and public health activities are not delivered to populations, which raises concerns over the risk of disease outbreaks. Humanitarian actors are increasingly concerned over the deterioration of the situation in Sa’ada, as fighting intensifies and there is no indication that confrontations will subside in the near future. A commitment from all parties is needed to facilitate immediate, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to Sa’ada to allow for urgent needs assessments and the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need. In the meantime, some progress has been made in terms of getting access to displaced populations in neighboring governorates. Following a first mission of the Resident Coordinator and WHO Representative to Hajjah Governorate on 22 August, UN agencies’ and INGO’s representatives traveled to Amran governorate on Monday, 24 August. The mission reached Khaiwan, some 90 kilometers south of Sa’ada, where newly arrived IDPs were found living in public facilities or with host families. The presence of IDPs was also reported in surrounding areas. The authorities informed the mission of their intention to open a new IDP camp of an initial capacity of 500 families. As of 27 August, agencies operate humanitarian programs in Sa’ada city, Hajjah Governorate and Amran Governorate. In Sa’ada, UN agencies resumed distribution of assistance this week after activities had been on hold following the outbreak of fighting. However, insecurity is restricting movements of humanitarian personnel, which severely hampers implementation of activities. Agencies are considering possibilities to establish a program in Baqim in the north of Sa’ada Governorate. In Hajjah Governorate, a humanitarian program has been underway in Haradh and Al Mazrak since 14 August. Assistance includes the distribution of food and relief items to displaced populations. Agencies are also helping local authorities establish a camp. In Amran Governorate, and following the mission of 24 August, humanitarian partners are preparing to provide humanitarian assistance in Khaiwan. This entails providing support to the establishment of the above mentioned IDP camp. Al Jawf Governorate has been a no-go area for a few years for many humanitarian agencies due to tribal conflict. Humanitarian agencies estimate that a total of 150,000 persons have been displaced by conflict in the northern part of the country. This estimation is based on information from the Sa’ada authorities that 120,000 persons from the Governorate are currently displaced and that, in Amran Governorate, fighting in the Harf Sufyan region has forced close to 30,000 persons to flee from their homes. Original at: http://ochaonline.un.org/News/OCHANewsCentre/2009SituationReports/tabid/1094/language/en-US/Default.aspx

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