Northern Yemen still volatile five months after ceasefire, says UN agency

The situation in northern Yemen remains volatile more than five months after the signing of a ceasefire between Government forces and rebels, the United Nations refugee agency said today, citing reports of renewed clashes and ongoing difficulties in delivering humanitarian assistance.

Media reports say some 30 people have been killed this week alone in incidents in northern Yemen, where nearly 300,000 people have been uprooted from their homes in the region by fighting between Government forces and rebels in recent years.

While a ceasefire was signed in February between Government forces and al-Houthi rebels, the majority of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have not returned to their homes. Many are living with host communities or in scattered settlements outside formal camp sites.

Yesterday the UN humanitarian wing voiced concern about a funding shortfall for aid operations in northern Yemen, noting that less than $70 million, or 36 per cent, of the $187 million sought has been received so far.

According to estimates by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), only around 14,000 IDPs have so far returned to their areas of origin.

“Many fear retaliation or have no place to return to due to the destruction of houses and infrastructure,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told reporters in Geneva.

In addition, lack of basic services, such as health care, education and water supply in many parts of the Sa’ada governorate also discourages many IDPs from returning, she said.

UNHCR is planning to start distributing packages to returnees in the coming weeks that will include food, construction tool kits, plastic sheets and hygiene kits together with other relief items.

Noting that overall security and lack of access to hundreds of thousands of civilians are still hampering the delivery of assistance, UNHCR and its partners continue to call for secure and unhindered access to all communities affected by the conflict.

The agency has also voiced concern about the safety of civilians who decide to return spontaneously, given the threat posed by landmines in Sa’ada.