Relief food assistance to refugees in Yemen

This operation expired on 31 March 2016

The Republic of Yemen faces a continuing humanitarian crisis following internal conflict and political instability, a breakdown of social services, the impact of high food and fuel prices, and rising poverty. Volatility in the Horn of Africa continues to add to Yemen’s complex humanitarian crisis, with 236,000 registered refugees currently in Yemen. Many refugees arrive with the expectation of passing through Yemen to the neighbouring oil-rich states. While the most vulnerable are accommodated in the isolated Kharaz refugee camp, many choose to settle in Yemen’s urban centres.

Until recently, the majority of new refugees were fleeing instability in Somalia, arriving by boat along the coast of the Gulf of Aden. In 2011, over 103,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen, with the majority from Ethiopia and Eritrea. This trend continued in 2012, with 107,500 additional refugees and migrants – the highest number of arrivals ever recorded by UNHCR.

This protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO) builds upon the previous PRRO 200044,“Food Assistance To Somali Refugees in Yemen”, incorporating recommendations from the joint assessment mission conducted in April-May 2012 by WFP, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government. The mission findings included the increased number of refugees; continued high rates of anaemia and malnutrition; poor shelter, water and sanitation facilities; food insecurity; and the continued reliance on humanitarian assistance, including for food.

This PRRO aims to provide emergency food assistance to new refugee arrivals, refugees hosted in the Kharaz refugee camp and urban refugees. In Kharaz camp, WFP will provide general food assistance for all residents and meals for primary school pupils. Targeted school feeding will also be provided to refugees residing in the urban settlement of Al-Basateen.

Preventive and curative nutrition support will be provided through WFP’s ongoing emergency operation 200451 “Emergency Food and Nutrition Support to Food Insecure and Conflict-Affected People” in line with the national approach, and includes support for malnourished children 6-59 months and malnourished pregnant and lactating women among refugee groups.

The PRRO will be implemented in close collaboration with the Government and in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. as well as international and national cooperating partners. The operation is aligned with WFP’s Strategic Objectives 1 and 3, and will contribute to Millennium Development Goals 1, 2 and 3.