Yemen

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Yemen

Working environment

The context

The year 2013 will be of crucial importance for Yemen. With the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council Agreement in November 2011 and the subsequent National Dialogue process, Yemen is entering a critical transition phase. As the Government introduces the reforms required to facilitate more inclusive political processes and help stabilize the country, UNHCR continues to work closely with the central and local authorities to address the humanitarian needs of people of concern.

As a result of drought, conflict, political instability and human rights violations in the Horn of Africa, large numbers of people are still setting out for Yemen in search of safety, protection or economic opportunities. The means they use to travel, including through human smuggling rings, are often highly dangerous. Hence, Yemen continues to have to deal with a mixed flow of refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant arrivals, despite a fragile economy, very limited public health and education services, and a highly volatile security environment.

The needs

By September 2012, Yemen was hosting some 230,000 registered refugees, with Somalis making up 95 per cent of the caseload. Somalis are granted prima facie refugee status, while UNHCR conducts refugee status determination (RSD) for other nationalities.

More than 103,000 refugees and migrants arrived from the Horn of Africa in 2011 and another 80,000 needy and desperate people have entered Yemen so far in 2012, with numbers continuing to grow.

UNHCR aims to assist refugees through immediate protection and material assistance including legal services, nutrition, health care, shelter, education, water and sanitation and hygiene. It also supports people with specific needs, by raising awareness of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), taking measures to prevent and respond to HIV and AIDS, improving livelihoods for people of concern, and finding durable solutions.

As of September 2012, there were some 507,000 registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yemen. UNHCR, as UN cluster lead for protection and camp coordination and camp management, shelter and non-food items, provides protection and assistance for: IDPs living in camps, with host communities or in settlements in the north; IDPs living in collective centres or within the host community in Aden in the south; as well as for IDPs who are starting to return home to Abyan Governorate. Key activities include the monitoring of the protection environment to ensure access to basic rights and the provision of life-saving assistance.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

REFUGEES

Favourable protection environment

Laws and policies are consistent with international standards.

• Some 60 per cent of Government regulations are in keeping with international standards.

Fair protection processes and documentation

Reception conditions are improved.

• Three reception centres are maintained.

• One transit centre is established.

• Some 250,000 people of concern are received and accommodated.

The quality of registration and profiling is improved or strengthened.

• All people of concern are registered on an individual basis.

• All children under 12 months of age are issued birth certificates by the authorities.

Security from violence and exploitation

The risk of SGBV is reduced and the quality of the response to it improved.

• All known victims of SGBV receive support.

The protection of children is strengthened.

• All unaccompanied or separated children benefit from best interest determination procedures.

Basic needs and essential services

The health of the population is improved.

• The under-5 mortality rate is reduced from 2/1,000 to 1/1,000.

The nutritional well-being of the population of concern is improved.

• The prevalence of global acute malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months is reduced from 9.8 per cent to 5 per cent.

The population has optimal access to education.

• Some 90 per cent of children of concern aged 6-11 are enrolled in primary education.

Community empowerment and self-reliance

Self-reliance and livelihoods are improved.

• Some 1,800 refugees receive help to start income-generating activities.

• Around 2,000 refugees receive technical and vocational-skills training.

Durable solutions

The potential for resettlement is realized.

• Some 350 cases are submitted for resettlement.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

Fair protection processes and documentation

The quality of registration and profiling is improved or maintained.

• Some 39,100 eligible cases are registered.

Civil registration and civil status documentation is strengthened.

• Some 40,000 identity documents are issued to people of concern.

Basic needs and essential services

Shelter and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained.

• Some 10,000 emergency shelters are provided.

• Some 14,000 households receive shelter support (tents, plastic sheeting or shelter repair kits).

The population of concern has sufficient supplies of basic and domestic items.

• Around 200,000 individuals are provided with basic NFIs.

Durable solutions

A comprehensive solutions strategy is developed, strengthened or updated.

• A comprehensive durable solutions strategy is developed and agreed among all relevant stakeholders.

Strategy and activities in 2013

UNHCR's main objective in Yemen is to address the urgent and increasing protection needs of asylum-seekers, refugees and IDPs. Owing to the dire economic situation and continuing lack of security, many refugees who were once self-reliant are becoming increasingly vulnerable. UNHCR will continue to provide assistance, including vocational training and education, particularly for camp-based refugees. It will also seek opportunities to improve well-being and livelihood.

Notwithstanding Yemen's generous hospitality towards new arrivals, UNHCR will closely monitor the protection environment to ensure that international human rights and refugee law standards are maintained. The expansion of Kharaz camp has been approved by the authorities in order to address the growing needs of refugees; implementation will require further negotiations at the local level with host community.

Key activities for refugees will include registration, RSD, resettlement and community empowerment as well as protection counselling in the recently opened reception centre in Sana'a. UNHCR will also pursue its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the national asylum system. This will involve advocating for finalization of a national refugee law, training government officials and promoting the teaching of international refugee and human rights law in universities.

To address the protection gaps in both urban and camp settings, particular emphasis will be placed on bolstering child protection and combating SGBV; monitoring detention; strengthening RSD as a protection tool; and seeking resettlement as a strategic durable solution. For IDPs, UNHCR will primarily focus on protection and shelter needs while strengthening coordination through its participation in the cluster response.

To ensure the safe, dignified and sustainable return of IDPs, UNHCR is prepared to respond to their protection and life-saving needs, including shelter. This is especially relevant in Abyan Governorate where some IDPs have started to return and there may be the possibility of more returns in the coming months. UNHCR, as part of the UN Country Team, has been preparing for possible large-scale returns of IDPs based on an inter-agency common humanitarian and early recovery plan.

Constraints

Yemen's political transition has not yet translated into a significant improvement in security. There has been an erosion of public services, and the deteriorating economy is driving up the cost of living for most Yemenis as well as for refugees and asylum-seekers.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR works closely with the Government to strengthen local and national capacities and to help develop national policies and relevant legislative frameworks. UNHCR is coordinating with the Government's Executive Unit for IDPs to ensure that displacement matters are integrated into governmental plans, development frameworks and the National Dialogue process.

UNHCR works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the National Committee for Refugee Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior/Department of Immigration to improve refugee protection and registration.

UNHCR has entered into operational partnerships with the Ministries of Health and Education and Vocational Training, and has operational arrangements with UN agencies for joint projects within the Government's transitional plan. UNHCR and IOM jointly chair the Mixed Migration Task Force.

Financial information

The 2013 budget is set at USD 59.8 million. However, this will be reviewed in light of new requirements for IDP returns to Abyan Governorate.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

UNHCR contact information