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Amid escalating conflict in Yemen, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday that access to lifesaving aid is becoming harder for civilians in Marib governorate, including more than one million people who are estimated to be displaced there.
As “the frontlines shift closer to densely populated areas” their vulnerability has increased, raising grave concern about the safety and security of people in Marib, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said in a regular briefing at UN Geneva.
“Only a peaceful resolution to the conflict can halt further suffering,” said Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson, who repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire between Government and Houthi opposition forces.
Citing interagency data, Ms. Mantoo said that 40,000 people have been forced to flee in Marib since the start of the new offensive in September. This represents almost 70 per cent of all displacements there since the beginning of the year.
Marib now hosts half of the estimated 120,000 people newly displaced countrywide in 2021, Ms. Mantoo added.
On top of existing humanitarian needs, new displacement has “drastically increased the demand for shelter, essential household items, water and sanitation, education, and protection services, particularly for children”. There is also an urgent need for screenings to provide healthcare and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, the UNHCR spokesperson said.
Ms. Mantoo highlighted the situation for families from Sirwah district, who are “among the most vulnerable”. Many were forced to flee in recent weeks after intensifying armed clashes led to the closure of five UNHCR-managed accommodation sites. Some families “have already been displaced five times since the start of the conflict in 2015”, Ms. Mantoo explained.
Meanwhile, “fear and panic have been intensified” owing to rocket strikes close to sites for the displaced; the latest was reported on 17 November near Marib city, as well as explosions and planes heard day and night, from heavy fighting in the surrounding mountains.
Since September, UNHCR has reached more than 2,000 displaced families with emergency relief assistance. Cash assistance has also been provided to at least 66,500 families in Marib since the start of the year and the agency is trying to reach people with legal assistance and psychosocial support, while also strengthening its mobile protection activities.
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