April 26, 2017

Highlights

• International donors participate in high-level pledging event for Yemen crisis on April 25.
• US Government agencies commit an additional $94 million in humanitarian funding for the Yemen response.
• UN officials warn parties to conflict against launching a military offensive in the vicinity of Al Hudaydah Port, noting humanitarian concerns.

Key Developments

On April 25, the UN and the governments of Sweden and Switzerland hosted a high-level pledging event in Geneva, Switzerland, to mobilize funding in support of the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Yemen. The HRP requests $2.1 billion to provide humanitarian assistance for an estimated 12 million people in the country. The event also advocated for increased humanitarian access to deliver emergency relief supplies and meet the acute needs of conflict-affected communities in Yemen, as well as for a political solution for the crisis.

During the event, international donors pledged nearly $1.1 billion toward critical response operations in Yemen. The U.S. Government (USG) announced approximately $94 million in additional funding for humanitarian activities, including emergency food assistance, health care, livelihood support, and nutrition and protection assistance. In total, the USG has contributed nearly $526 million for the Yemen humanitarian response in FY 2016 and to date in FY 2017.

Amid reports of a potential military attack on or near Al Houthi-controlled Al Hudaydah Port, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has urged parties to the conflict in Yemen to refrain from conducting military operations near the port, which is an essential point of entry for commercial and humanitarian supplies into Yemen. The UN-led Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Yemen similarly raised this point in early April, calling on the parties to ensure the continued functioning of Al Hudaydah Port, which processes an estimated 70–80 percent of Yemen’s food and other critical imports. Both UN Special Envoy Ahmed and the HCT in Yemen stated that no viable substitutes for the port exist in terms of location and infrastructure.

INSECURITY, POPULATION DISPLACEMENT, AND HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

More than two years of fighting, primarily between a coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Al Houthi forces, has resulted in approximately 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen, including an estimated 9.6 million children, according to the UN. The conflict has increased displacement; endangered the security of civilians, including relief workers; and impeded access to and the delivery of emergency relief commodities and services.

The UN Special Envoy and Yemen HCT called on parties to the conflict to refrain from conducting any military operations in or near Al Hudaydah Port, stressing the importance of uninterrupted port operations to the humanitarian response. Al Hudaydah Port processes an estimated 70–80 percent of Yemen’s food and other critical imports. The HCT has reiterated that there are no viable substitutes for the Red Sea port in terms of location and infrastructure; any obstructions to the import of commercial and humanitarian goods through Al Hudaydah Port would have severe consequences for communities already in need of assistance.

The conflict displaced an estimated 3 million people from their homes between March 2015 and March 2017, including approximately 1 million people who have returned home since the start of the conflict. Women and children comprise nearly 80 percent of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yemen. From January to March 2017, the number of schools hosting IDPs increased from approximately 140 to more than 180. In addition, armed groups occupied more than 20 schools during the same period, according to USAID partner the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

As of March 31, the UN estimated that 2.1 million people in Yemen are residing in more than 40 districts deemed hardto-reach or inaccessible due to security restrictions. Of this population, an estimated 1.3 million people remain in acute need of emergency relief assistance. The UN also reported that approximately 18 percent of Yemen’s districts had moderate access constraints, limiting the ability of relief agencies to respond consistently or in a timely manner to needs in those areas.

In late March, Al Houthi elements detained five International Medical Corps (IMC) staff members and two contracted drivers in Ibb Governorate. Al Houthi forces released all seven individuals on April 2 in the capital city of Sana’a, international media report. IMC has provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen since 2012 and continues to operate in conflict-affected communities, despite insecurity-related risks.

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

Yemen’s food security situation remains dire with an estimated 17 million people experiencing food insecurity, including approximately 10.2 million people facing Crisis—IPC 3—levels of food insecurity and 6.8 million people facing Emergency—IPC 4—levels of food insecurity, the IPC Technical Working Group reports. Potential military activity at or near Al Hudaydah Port could significantly disrupt the delivery of food assistance, according to the UN.

Providers of informal, overland transportation from Oman and Saudi Arabia decreased the quantity and frequency of food deliveries to Yemen from February to March, citing a decline in demand due to the reduced purchasing power of conflict-affected households, USAID/FFP partner the UN World Food Program (WFP) reports. An ongoing economic liquidity crisis forced nearly half of Yemenis to incur debt to purchase food as of March compared to one-third of the country’s population two years earlier.

On April 12, WFP announced a new Emergency Operation Plan (EMOP) to reach more than 9 million people with emergency food assistance—including approximately 7 million severely food insecure individuals and nearly 2.2 million children facing acute malnutrition. The UN agency also aims to provide specialized nutrition assistance services to pregnant and lactating women. WFP estimated a cost of approximately $1.2 billion for the EMOP over the next year.

USAID/FFP recently provided an additional $68 million in FY 2017 in-kind food assistance to support the WFP EMOP in Yemen. To date in April, WFP has distributed monthly emergency food supplies to approximately 1.9 million people in 11 governorates and reached an estimated 209,000 people with food vouchers. With USAID/FFP funding, an international non-governmental organization (NGO) distributed food vouchers to approximately 5,200 households in Lahij from March 16 to April 13.

USAID partner the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reached nearly 300,000 people with emergency agriculture assistance, critical equipment, livestock deworming and vaccinations, and related training in Al Hudaydah, Ad Dali’, Hajjah, Sa’dah, Sana’a, and Ta’izz governorates from January to April. USAID/FFP recently committed $800,000 in FY 2017 funding to support FAO food security and livelihood activities, as well as nearly $3.4 million to UNICEF for the transport of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to malnourished populations in Yemen.

USAID/OFDA recently provided more than $1 million to an NGO partner to support irrigation, livelihood, and small enterprise activities through grants to IDPs and vulnerable households in Abyan, Ad Dali’, and Lahij. USAID/OFDA has also recently contributed nearly $3.7 million to support livestock restocking activities and training of animal health workers in Abyan, Ad Dali’, Lahij, and Ta’izz governorates through NGO partners.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

In a February 16 briefing to the UN Security Council, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) Stephen O’Brien reported that chronic drug shortages, unpaid salaries, and conflict-related destruction has resulted in more than 14.1 million Yemenis experiencing inadequate access to health care services. ERC O’Brien reported that since March 2015, nearly 600 health facilities have closed, including 220 that provided treatment for acute malnutrition. The recently released Yemen HRP requests urgent health support for more than 10.6 million people and highlights the critical need for emergency interventions to treat acute malnutrition.

Beginning January 9, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the implementation of the polio and measles– rubella vaccination campaign, including community engagement activities. According to preliminary reports, the campaign had reached more than 3.9 million children with polio vaccines and more than 2.3 million children, including nearly 8,000 in hard-to-access locations, with measles–rubella vaccines as of January 26.

UNICEF also provided health and nutrition interventions to more than 40,000 people across Yemen from January 13–26. During the same period, the UN agency established more than 60 outpatient treatment programs in Sa’dah for children experiencing severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Additionally, UNICEF is distributing 30,000 cartons of specialized nutritional supplements to treat approximately 37,500 children with SAM across 12 governorates. The UN estimates that more than 1.3 million children younger than five years of age are acutely malnourished.

Through USAID/FFP support, community volunteers reached nearly 3,000 people in Dhamar Governorate with child nutrition and hygiene awareness campaigns between October and December 2015. Additionally, community members trained by the USAID/FFP partner reached nearly 1,300 mothers of young children and more than 550 pregnant women with childcare education sessions.

A USAID/OFDA partner is supporting community-based management of acute malnutrition in areas of Abyan, Aden, Lahij, and Shabwah, screening more than 400 children across the four governorates for acute malnutrition from January 15–31. During the same period, the NGO treated more than 70 children for SAM and nearly 120 for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), including through the provision of ready-to-use therapeutic foods. The NGO also provided technical support and training to staff at facilities providing nutrition interventions.

Through USAID/OFDA support, another NGO is providing health, nutrition, and WASH assistance to conflictaffected people in Abyan, Aden, Lahij, and Shabwah governorates. From January 15–31, the NGO provided health care services—including immunizations, pediatric care, and reproductive health consultations—to more than 4,800 people across the four governorates. During the same period, the NGO screened more than 400 children for acute malnutrition and treated nearly 200 cases of MAM and SAM. The partner is also increasing access to safe drinking water for approximately 11,200 people in Abyan and Shabwah through daily water trucking.

HEALTH AND WASH

Approximately half of Yemen’s population—14.5 million people—lack access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies and services, increasing the risk of communicable disease transmission, according to the UN. Additionally, health organizations report shortages of critical medical equipment and medication for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Relief stakeholders are working to support the health system; for example, USG partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently contributed approximately 3 metric tons (MT) of medications and other medical supplies to Al Thawra Hospital in Sana’a.

USAID/OFDA partner the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 300 new suspected cholera cases in Al Bayda, Hajjah, and Sana’a governorates between March 20 and April 2, increasing the cumulative total to approximately 24,500 suspected cases. However, the cumulative number of cholera-related deaths remained at 108 as of April 2, and the incidence of confirmed cholera cases and the number of districts reporting suspected cases continue to decline since the outbreak’s peak in December 2016.

From February to mid-April, the UN and its partner organizations conducted a countrywide polio immunization campaign, reaching nearly 5 million children ages five years and younger, the UN reports. The World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF supported the polio campaign by working with health workers, local council officials, and religious leaders to mobilize communities, promote awareness, and extend the campaign’s reach to IDPs and other high-risk groups.

USAID/OFDA recently provided more than $980,000 to an NGO partner to improve access to life-saving nutrition and primary health care services in vulnerable communities in Ibb, Sana’a, and Ta’izz through community health education, health facility and stabilization center support, and mobile health and nutrition teams. USAID/OFDA also contributed nearly $645,000 to an NGO partner to increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation services and to improve hygiene facilities and practices in areas of Ibb, Sana’a, and Ta’izz. Activities include the delivery of hygiene kits and safe drinking water, rehabilitation of communal and public water points and sanitation facilities, and WASH awareness activities and trainings.

With support from USAID/OFDA, an NGO distributed personal hygiene kits and provided hygiene education for nearly 3,600 beneficiaries in Al Jawf Governorate, as well as delivered 13.6 million liters of safe drinking water to 40 communities in Abyan and Lahij between March 16 and April 13. USAID/OFDA recently provided more than $150,000 to improve access to community-based management of malnutrition services and infant and young child feeding in conflict-affected communities in Ibb, Sana’a, and Ta’izz through an NGO partner.

SHELTER SUPPORT AND RELIEF COMMODITIES

Despite insecurity, the Logistics Cluster—the coordinating body for humanitarian logistics activities, comprising UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders—facilitated the air, maritime, and overland transport of more than 600 MT of humanitarian supplies between January and March. Cluster members also distributed more than 313,000 liters of fuel to 21 organizations in Aden, Al Hudaydah, and Sana’a governorates. Additionally, the Logistics Cluster coordinated the delivery of an estimated 56,000 liters of fuel from Aden to Sana’a to ensure the continuation of humanitarian airlifts between Amman, Jordan, and Sana'a until June.

Amid access constraints, relief agencies, including USG partners, reached nearly 303,000 vulnerable people with relief assistance during the 2016/2017 winter season. More than 56,000 people received emergency shelter support; nearly 120,000 people received winter relief supplies; and approximately 1,300 people received cash for rental subsidies, according to the Shelter and Camp Coordination and Camp Management clusters.

State/PRM recently committed approximately $15.3 million in additional FY 2017 funding for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relief agency activities, including camp coordination and camp management, health care, logistics support, protection, refugee assistance, and delivery of relief items and shelter materials, for vulnerable households in Yemen.

OTHER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

The UN and the governments of Sweden and Switzerland hosted the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen on April 25 to mobilize urgently needed funding to support the 2017 HRP for Yemen, which requests $2.1 billion to provide humanitarian assistance for approximately 12 million beneficiaries. The UN also advocated for a cessation of hostilities, increased protection for civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations during the event.

During the pledging event, international donors—including the European Union, the KSA, and the governments of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates—reported contributions totaling nearly $1.1 billion to support humanitarian response operations in Yemen. The USG announced approximately $94 million in additional FY 2017 funding for Yemen, bringing its total contribution for the response to nearly $526 million in FY 2016 and to date in FY 2017.

PUBLIC DONATION INFORMATION

The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. A list of humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for disaster responses around the world can be found at www.interaction.org.

USAID encourages cash donations because they allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time, and warehouse space); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance.

More information can be found at:
- USAID Center for International Disaster Information: www.cidi.org or +1.202.821.1999.
- Information on relief activities of the humanitarian community can be found at www.reliefweb.int.