Yemen insecurity sees food supplies running out at Kharaz refugee camp

Briefing notes

Yemen insecurity sees food supplies running out at Kharaz refugee camp

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

19 June 2015

UNHCR is concerned at dire situation in Kharaz refugee camp in Yemen where food rations have run out. The monthly general food distribution that was planned for 15 June could not take place as food supplies are stuck in Hodeidah due to delays with commercial imports. WFP plans to move food supplies by truck to the South from Hodeidah, which is challenging in the current security situation.

On top of the lack of food, the camp's stocks of fuel ran dangerously low, resulting in electricity rationing for essential services including water pumping and forcing health facilities to shut down. The situation has improved somewhat in recent days as a UNHCR partner was able to transport 7,000 litres of fuel to the camp in addition to the 7,000 litres which arrived on 11 June. 6,000 litres will soon follow totalling 20,000 litres, scheduled to last for two months. Water pumping hours have been increased.

Refugees are severely impacted and are increasingly concerned about their security. In Sana'a and Aden/Kharaz, refugees continue to approach UNHCR and its partners seeking mainly financial assistance, internal relocation and resettlement abroad. Many schools in Yemen remain closed, including the school in the Kharaz Refugee Camp. Nevertheless, in late May, a partner managed to complete an accelerated classes programme in Kharaz camp, working with 111 students who had dropped out of school.

Meanwhile outflows from Yemen continue. As of June 17th, 17,929 persons of different nationalities had arrived in Djibouti since 27 March. Of those, 8,921 were Yemeni nationals however only 1,746 registered with UNHCR; 7,275 are transiting Third Country Nationals and 1,733 are Djiboutian returnees. Of the 17,929 new arrivals of mixed nationalities, 1,985 registered as refugees (including 1,746 Yemenis) and 1,498 out of the 1,746 registered Yemenis are in Markazi camp in Obock region.

As of June 9th, 14,457 persons of different nationalities have arrived in Somalia since 27 March 2015: 13,299 Somalis, 1,060 Yemenis, 73 Ethiopians and a variety of other nationalities. Of these, 8,112 individuals were registered at the reception centres in Bossaso (Puntland) and Berbera (Somaliland) coordinated by the authorities in collaboration with UNHCR and IOM.

The Yemen crisis response plans for Djibouti and Somalia have been released this week with US$ 26.4 million and $64.2 million required for UNHCR and partners to meet the needs of Yemenis and other nationalities fleeing to Djibouti and Somalia respectively. The UNHCR Supplementary Appeal for assistance inside Yemen has also been launched with an additional $49.2 million required on top of the existing appeal for $56.4 million making a total of $105.6 million required.

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