USAID-DCHA Yemen Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #7 - FY 2012

To ensure continuity of relief operations, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP)-led Logistics Cluster provided 1,000 liters of petrol and 2,245 liters of diesel to humanitarian organizations between March 16 and 22. On March 27, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledged to supply 500,000 metric tons of oil products to Yemen to meet domestic fuel needs in April and May. Escalated fighting between the Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) forces and armed groups in Abyan Governorate, southern Yemen, has displaced approximately 56,000 people since early March. Approximately 28,000 people, or one-half of the displaced population, have fled to areas within Abyan, while an estimated 28,000 people have fled to nearby Aden and Lahij governorates. In total, more than 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently residing in Abyan, Lahij, and Aden governorates. In response to the ongoing food security crisis, USAID's Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) is providing more than $36 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Yemen. The new funding includes approximately $25 million in Title II emergency food assistance for WFP's Emergency Operation in Yemen, as well as approximately $11.2 million for regionally procured food, food vouchers, and health and nutrition training programs implemented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The additional USAID/FFP Title II assistance, including 23,900 MT of wheat, 2,900 MT of beans, and 920 MT of vegetable oil, is estimated to arrive in Yemen by late August. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) recently announced an additional $3.6 million contribution to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and $8.3 million contribution to an international organization partner to provide assistance to IDPs and other vulnerable populations. State/PRM assistance supports the distribution of emergency relief supplies and health care, water and sanitation interventions, and cash-for-work activities, among other types of assistance. Since 2004, conflict between the RoYG and al-Houthi opposition forces has affected more than 1 million people and repeatedly displaced populations in northern Yemen, resulting in the need for humanitarian assistance. In April 2011, a fragile February 2010 ceasefire collapsed when al-Houthi groups took control of Sa'dah Governorate and the majority of Al Jawf Governorate. Sporadic clashes and isolated violent incidents continue to result in insecurity and limited humanitarian access, hindering large-scale population returns to Sa'dah and Al Jawf governorates, as well as northern areas of 'Amran Governorate.