More Civilians Fleeing Conflict In Northern Yemen

By Lisa Schlein

Geneva
10 November 2009

The U.N. refugee agency says it is extremely concerned about the recent
escalation of the conflict in northern Yemen between the government and
rebel Houthis. The UNHCR says there has been a significant increase in
recent days in the number of civilians fleeing the embattled Saada
governorate to safer areas of the country.

The UNHCR says
it is unable to reach people in the embattled areas who are deprived of
protection and essential aid. The agency is appealing for secure and unhindered access for humanitarian workers to deliver assistance.  

U.N.
refugee spokesman Andrej Mahecic says more people are fleeing Saada
governorate and continue to arrive at al-Mazrak camp in Hajja
governorate.  

"On average, 130 to
140 families arrived to Al Mazrak camp both on Saturday and Sunday and
another 80 families yesterday, which is a total of about 2,000 people. 
Elderly people, single mothers and children represent the majority of
new arrivals. Most of them are coming from Khuba area where they had
taken refuge after having fled the fighting in Saada. This means it is
their second or third displacement," said Mahecic.

He says about 8,700 people are living in al-Mazrak camp which has been
expanded to accommodate the new arrivals. He says 11,000 other people
are being sheltered by host families.

Mahecic says the
UNHCR airlifted a shipment of emergency relief items from its central
stockpile in Dubai. The shipment, he says, included large tents and
prefabricated warehouses, which will improve the delivery of aid and
services to the people in need.

"Meanwhile,
our office in Riyadh was informed yesterday by the Saudi authorities
that the situation at the Alp border is stable, allowing UNHCR to
continue it cross-border activities. We are hopeful that we will
receive the security clearances from the Saudi authorities for the next
aid convoy in the coming days. UNHCR's assistance will complement the
Yemeni government's food and aid also arriving in the area," Mahecic said.

Low-level
skirmishes between the rebels and Saudi Arabian and Yemeni forces have
been going on for five years. The conflict heated up last week when
Houthi Shiite rebels reportedly crossed into Saudi Arabia and killed a
Saudi officer.

The Saudi government responded by sending fighter
jets to bomb Houthi territory in northern Yemen. Fears are growing the
lingering battle could turn into a wider regional conflict, potentially
drawing in Iran, the region's biggest Shiite power.

The UNHCR
estimates about 175,000 people have been affected by the conflict since
2004, including those displaced by the latest fighting.