Font size down Font size up
  • Go

Yemen: Constrained response to protection needs of IDPs and returnees

yem_cp_jul09
IDPs in Sa’ada city (IDMC, May 2009)
  • Country Statistics
  • Latest IDP figure:
  • 250,000
  • Number of refugees:
  • (Originating from the country)
    1,776 (UNHCR, June 2009)
  • Total Population:
  • 21,6 million
Latest brief update of IDP situation in Yemen, January 8, 2010

Following intermittent clashes between Al Houthi groups and the Yemeni government in July 2009, the situation in Sa’ada governorate escalated into open conflict on 12 August, in the sixth round of hostilities since 2004. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from Sa’ada and Amran governorates since the start of the ‘Sixth War’, adding to those displaced by previous rounds of fighting. For many, it is their second or third displacement over the last few years.

Until July 2009, United Nations Country Team (UNCT) had estimated 100,000 persons to be still displaced or affected from the pervious round of fighting. As of December 2009, the number is estimated to have reached 175,000 while up to 800,000 people are indirectly affected by the conflict, including communities hosting IDPs and residents who have lost access to basic services. In addition to concerns over the situation of IDPs, civilians unable to flee the fighting in northern Yemen and along the Yemen-Saudi border continue to face severe threats to their security and over all protection.

The number of IDPs is increasing with no sign of the conflict abating. The governorates of Sa’ada, Amran, Hajjah and Al Jawf have been particularly affected. Limited and sporadic humanitarian access has severely hampered needs assessments and prevented much humanitarian activity, especially in governorates of Sa’ada, Al Jawf, and areas of Amran governorate. The UNCT has identified the most urgent needs of IDPs and their host communities as being protection, food, water and sanitation, shelter, essential domestic items and access to health care.

The humanitarian community has repeatedly called for wider humanitarian access and that all necessary measures be taken by the parties to the conflict – Al Houthi groups, Yemeni and Saudi Arabia governments – to spare civilian lives. Human rights organisations have reported numerous allegations of indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations, and other violations, including forced child recruitment, and have called upon all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations and duties under humanitarian and relevant human rights law.



    Expand all

Internal Displacement Profile

"Causes and Background","General Introduction","Yemen historical timeline","Conflict in the South 1960s and civil war in 1994 ","Sa'ada conflict 2004-2009 ","Natural disasters Floods and Draughts. "
"Population Figures and Profile","Figures","Profile of displacement in Yemen ","Geographical distribution of displacement"
"Patterns of Displacement","Displacement in Saada and surrounding governorates 2004-2009","Displacement in South & Risks of displacement ","Displacement due to tribal conflicts and religious discrimination","Displacement due to Natural Disasters"
"Physical Security & Freedom of Movement","Protection of IDPs during Saada Conflict 2004-2008","Child Protection concerns 2004 - 2009","Protection of Displaced 2008-2009","Religious and Minority tensions. "
"Subsistence Needs","Subsistence needs of displaced during conflict 2004-2008","Subsistence Needs of Displaced 2008-2009"
"Access to Education","Access to Education"
"Issues of Self-Reliance and Public Participation","Issues of Self Reliance and Public Participation"
"Documentation Needs and Citizenship","Documentation Needs and Citizenship"
"Issues of Family Unity, Identity and Culture","Issues of Family Unity","Identity and Culture."
"Property Issues","Property Issues"
"Patterns of Return and Resettlement","Patterns of Return and Resettlement"
"Humanitarian Access","Lack of Humanitarian Access 2007-2009"
"National and International Responses","National Response","International Response"


News 
Internal displacement in Yemen passes 250,000 mark, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 29 January 2010
Thousands displaced by conflict in just a few months, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 22 December 2009
Yemen rebels claim 70 killed in Saudi air raid, Agence France Press, 13 December 2009
Child soldiers used by both sides in northern conflict - NGOs, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), 10 December 2009
New camp opened in Sa'ada for civilians fleeing conflict, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 26 November 2009
Hunger stalk's Yemen's displaced, Al Jaazera, 23 November 2009
More