UNHCR cross-border aid convoy for 2,000 displaced people crosses into Yemen

SANA'A, Yemen, October 13 (UNHCR) - A convoy carrying UNHCR aid has crossed into northern Yemen from Saudi Arabia and was due on Tuesday to be distributed to some 2,000 people stranded close to the border after fleeing from fighting in and around the city if Sa'ada.

The distribution of tents, mattresses, blankets, plastic sheeting, jerry cans and hygiene items was scheduled to take place today in Sa'ada governorate, or province. This assistance arrives in addition to the Yemeni government's food and aid convoy also arriving in the northern area.

The arrival of the refugee agency's aid would not have been possible without the close collaboration between the Saudi and Yemeni authorities and UNHCR. According to a recent government assessment, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 displaced people in the border area, most of them desperately in need of assistance after fleeing from the northern districts of Sa'ada province.

"We are planning to send another aid convoy to reach those in need," a UNHCR spokesman said. "At the same time, the UN is expecting to receive authorization from the government to conduct its own needs assessment exercise," he added.

The situation in north Yemen remains tense and volatile, and civilians in Sa'ada province continue to flee to surrounding provinces as the fighting between government troops and Al Houthi forces shows no sign of abating. As street battles rage in the city of Sa'ada, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.

Many shops and stores have run out of basic commodities and supplies. Electricity is only available from 6pm to midnight and access to the sole functioning market is now blocked. Water supplies are available just twice a week. UNHCR's local partner continues to register internally displaced people (IDPs) in the city, despite the surrounding conflict.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said UNHCR was seriously concerned about the security situation in the vicinity of the IDP camp in Khaiwan in Amran governorate. Following several incidents over the past three days, UNHCR has requested the government to suspend further development of the site and not to move any more IDPs there. At the same time, UNHCR has appealed to the government to allow the UN to start the distribution of aid to displaced people outside the camp.

An estimated 150,000 Yemenis have been affected by the fighting in the north since 2004, including those displaced by the latest escalation. UNHCR welcomes and supports the recent calls of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes for rapid and unfettered access to the population trapped in the conflict zone, and for protection of civilians.

By Richard Andrew Knight in Sana'a, Yemen