UN expresses concern over increased violence in Yemen

UN expresses concern over increased violence in Yemen

2011-07-19 03:33:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Monday warned that the ongoing conflict in southern Yemen has increased the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in the region.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced out of their homes, and as of last week, an estimated 75,000 people have been displaced in the governorates of Aden, Lahj and Abyan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported.

Residential areas in the Al-Hasaba district of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, Arhab to the north, and Zinjibar in Abyan governorate have been bombed or shelled, according to OCHA's report. As a result, the UN has increased its concern of protecting civilians.

In addition, a severe fuel shortage has also worsened crisis for local people, affecting businesses, health services and humanitarian operations. Furthermore, food prices and unemployment numbers have risen due to the lack of fuel.

It has also disrupted the distribution of water to camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), a situation that could force IDPs to use contaminated water, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

In Aden, evacuation centers have been set up at 48 schools where IDPs are currently being accommodated, while others have moved in with local hosts. Food distribution has been ongoing, with 2,279 families having received their 15-day rations as of July 8. Somali refugees in the south are also receiving food aid.

Some IDPs in Abyan and Lahj are scattered in remote villages where it is difficult to reach them with humanitarian aid. Food distribution is scheduled to start in Abyan by the end of the month.

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