Sana’a, May 31: At least 22.2 million people i.e 75 percent of the population of Yemen is in the need of humanitarian assistance. Notably, Yemen is facing worst crisis ever due to the dual attack including civil war and outbreak of cholera.
A report published by UNHCR on Wednesday said, “Conflict in Yemen has left 22.2 million people, 75 percent of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance and has created a severe protection crisis in which millions face risks to their safety and are struggling to survive.”
It further said, “As of early 2018, Yemenis are facing multiple crises, including armed conflict, displacement, risk of famine and the outbreaks of diseases including cholera – creating the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
“Over 5.4 million people require assistance with shelter, core relief items (CRIs) and in collective centres. Protection space for 280,000 refugees and asylum seekers also continues to shrink, resulting in severe protection gaps. Refugees are at heightened risk of exploitation in the absence of livelihood opportunities and increasing aid-dependency,” the report added.
The report further said, “UNHCR, however, is facing a funding shortfall. To address the gap, UNHCR needs USD198.7M in 2018 to reach the most vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and IDP returnees.”
Key Figures of the report published by UNHCR:
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, some 719,377 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in Haiti, and 8,767 people died, according to national figures cited by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. An epidemic late last year faded but outbreaks are frequent and made worse by the degrading of health and sanitation systems by more than two years of civil war that has also killed at least 10,000 people and displaced millions. Earlier, in 2011, some 719,377 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in Haiti, and 8,767 people died.
Though the International Community including WHO, UNICEF and UNHCR is leading from the front in providing aid to Yemen, 60 percent of Yemenis are yet food insecure and 16 million people do not have access to safe water and proper sanitation.