SILVER SPRING, Md.--In northern Yemen, where an ongoing conflict between the Yemeni Government and Al Houthi rebels has displaced an estimated 150,000 people, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is implementing an initial response to aid civilians displaced by the violence in the Al-Jawf Governorate.
ADRA's response is targeting more than 300 families, or approximately 2,000 people, within the affected areas, located approximately three hours north of the capital city of Sana'a in the Al-Jawf Governorate, an area where no other United Nations (UN) agencies or international non-governmental organizations are currently working.
ADRA Yemen has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to distribute non-food items, such as mattresses, blankets, and water storage equipment, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to distribute food items for the affected families. The two-month intervention will not only provide basic living supplies, but will also give ADRA the opportunity to conduct an informal needs assessment in preparation for future responses.
This initial response is valued at approximately $15,000, and is financed by the ADRA Trans-Europe regional office, the Middle East Union of Seventh-day Adventists, ADRA Nethelands and ADRA Yemen, in addition to the 290 metric tons of food provided by the WFP, and the emergency supplies provided by the UNHCR.
"Although this response relates to internally displaced persons (IDPs), this assistance will indirectly help the local population," said Nagi Khalil, country director for ADRA Yemen. "It can prevent the IDPs from becoming a burden on the host communities, due to a lack of resources. This response addresses those needs."
According to ADRA Yemen, refugees in the targeted region are in need of basic supplies, such as tents, blankets, water tanks, and food.
"The Al-Jawf Governorate has been a 'no-go zone' for most UN agencies, due to previous conflicts," continued Khalil, explaining that this means that not only is the humanitarian community is unaware of the current situation there, but that much needed basic supplies are not being distributed in the region.
Updates will be released as ADRA's response efforts expand.
According to the U.N., the conflict has significantly impacted the civilian population, with recent reports indicating that there is an increased risk of disease outbreaks in Sa'ada Governorate. Health facilities have begun failing due to the strain of overwhelming need, resulting in a lack of public health assistance.
To send your contribution to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund, please contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or give online at www.adra.org.
ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.
For more information about ADRA, visit www.adra.org.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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