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.

ends

STORY: Marib alert (Yemen) - UNHCR

TRT: 2’33’’

SOURCE: UNTV CH

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

DATELINE: 23 Nov 2021, GENEVA, Switzerland

SHOTLIST

1. Exterior wide shot, United Nations flags flying. 
2. Medium-wide shot, of speakers, participants and a cameraman inside briefing room.
3. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “The UN Refugee Agency, is gravely concerned about the safety and security of civilians in Yemen’s Marib governorate, including the one million people who are estimated to be displaced. As the frontlines shift closer to densely populated areas, their lives are in danger and access to humanitarian aid is becoming harder.”
4. Close shot, participants in briefing room. 
5. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “UNHCR is warning that further escalation of the conflict will only increase the vulnerability of people in Marib – especially those displaced – and is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen. Only a peaceful resolution to the conflict can halt further suffering.” 
6. Close shot, journalists listening to briefing. 
7. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “Some 40,000 people have been forced to flee in Marib since September, according to interagency data. Marib hosts now half of an estimated 120,000 newly displaced countrywide in 2021.”
8. Close shot, journalists taking notes.
9. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “New displacement is exacerbating the existing humanitarian needs, is drastically increasing the need for shelter, essential household items, water and sanitation, education, and protection services – particularly for children.”
10. Close shot, Participants taking notes in briefing room. 
11. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “Some of these families have already been displaced five times since the start of the conflict in 2015.”
12. Medium shot, participants in briefing, taking notes. 
13. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “Meanwhile, rocket strikes close to the sites hosting the displaced are causing fear and panic. The latest incident was reported on the 17th of November when an artillery shell exploded, without casualties, near a site close to Marib City. UNHCR teams report that there is heavy fighting in the mountains surrounding the city and the sound of explosions and planes can be heard day and night.”
14. Close shot of participant. 
15. SOUNDBITE (English): Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “Since the start of the new offensive in Marib this September, UNHCR has reached over 2,000 displaced families with emergency relief assistance. So far this year, we have also provided cash assistance to over 66,500 families in Marib.”
16. Medium shot, inside briefing room showing participants, speakers and a TV screen.
17. Close shot, participants listening to the speaker. 
18. Close shot, journalists in briefing room.