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Yemen: UN agencies urge immediate access to civilians hit by fighting

Yemen: UN agencies urge immediate access to civilians hit by fighting

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United Nations agencies today called for immediate and unconditional access to the civilians affected by ongoing fighting between Government forces and rebels in northern Yemen.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that heavy fighting between Al Houthi forces and Government troops in and around Sa’ada city continues with “utter disregard” for the safety of the civilian population.

“The situation for civilians inside the city is critical as the street battles rage on in several neighbourhoods and in the old part of the city,” UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva, adding that clashes have also spread to Harf Sufyan in Amran province, south of Sa’ada.

“Most of the displaced are stranded and dangerously exposed to the fighting as they are unable to reach safer areas,” he said, noting that mines and unexploded ordnance on the roads increase the risks for those trying to flee the area.

In addition, there has been no water or electricity in Sa’ada since 12 August and the food reserves are running out.

“UNHCR is again appealing for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors which would allow the civilian population to escape the fighting and enable aid workers to resume deliveries of humanitarian assistance,” said Mr. Mahecic.

He said most of those that have managed to flee – the majority of whom are women carrying hungry infants and crying babies – have arrived at the Mazraq camp in the neighbouring province of Hajjah.

He added that the agency is “alarmed” that it has received no contributions so far for the $5 million appeal launched last week to enable it respond to this emergency.

The funds would allow UNHCR to organize the management of the camps, expand registration and protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and provide tents and other humanitarian assistance for the next four months.

Mr. Mahecic noted that a ship carrying UNCHR aid for the displaced in Yemen is scheduled to dock today at the port of Aden, bringing with it nine 40-foot containers holding 25,000 blankets, 6,000 plastic sheets, 6,000 kitchen sets and 300 canvas tents for Sa’ada.

Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today that children are bearing the brunt of the current conflict, with many now having to live in camps, schools or with host families.

“It is believed that children represent the majority of the displaced population,” Sigrid Kaag, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.

“Their access to basic services like safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, food and health care is extremely limited under these conditions. They need shelter. They need food. They need safe water to drink.”

Emilia Casella, spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP), said the agency is working on preparing to implement a blanket nutrition intervention for children under five but is unable to reach the vast majority of the people who needed assistance.

She added that WFP staff who were evacuated from Sa’ada were going this week to Hajjah and Amran provinces to join colleagues already there to provide services to IDPs. The displaced in Hajjah are in “pretty rough conditions” after travelling for up to one month with no shelter, she said, adding that they were also suffering from extreme weather conditions.