WFP has approved a new operation to provide food assistance to 36,000 people displaced by the conflict in Sa’ada Governorate in north-western Yemen.

The three-month operation, worth US$1.3 million, is to continue WFP efforts which started two month ago. Some 20,000 displaced people received assistance during June and July.

The number of persons to receive food assistance during the new operation has increased by 16,000 due to the improvement of the security conditions, hence better access to the needy in more remote areas of the governorate.

“Our assessment of the humanitarian situation indicated that food assistance must continue. However, it is hoped that during this period, a durable ceasefire agreement and a political solution to the crisis will be reached and maintained. This would enable the displaced to return to their homes and resume their regular livelihood activities,” said Mohamed El Kouhene, WFP Representative in Yemen.

Displaced

Fighting has reportedly displaced over 40,000 people, and the possibility that the figure may rise still exists, especially once security constraints are lifted and there is total access to the area. WFP assistance will be given to those who cannot otherwise meet their food needs.

The Yemeni Government will continue to support the operation by providing security and logistics assistance to WFP.

“WFP’s first rapid response to the emergency needs in Sa’ada has been highly appreciated, and we are thankful that WFP will continue to provide food assistance for another three months due to the continuous need,” said Abdulkarim Al-Ar’habi, Yemen’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

Besides this three-month operation, WFP has a new five-year country programme (2007-2011) for one million Yemenis.

Beneficiaries

The US$48-million project is to help expand girls’ access to education and improve the health and nutritional status of malnourished children under five, pregnant and lactating women and tuberculosis and leprosy patients.

To date, the programme has received nearly US$5.7 million in donations.

WFP also supplies food to over 33,000 Somali refugees in transit centres and in the Kharaz Refugee camp located in Lahj Governorate.

WFP has provided around US$ 400 million of food assistance to Yemen since 1967 when the country was split into North and South.

Mahdi Khalil
WFP/Sana’a
Tel. + 967-1-214100
Ext 2217
Cell. +967-733085510

Heba Kandil
WFP/Cairo
Tel. +20-2-5281730
Cell. +20-18-1422885