Yemen UNHCR provides community center for north IDPs

 Source: UNHCR press release, 24/04/2013

UNHCR reactivates Community Centre for IDPs and Host Community in Sa’ada

Sa’ada, Yemen: As part of its continued efforts in the northern governorates of Yemen, UNHCR reopened its Community Centre activities in cooperation with a local NGO in order to assist IDPs, returnees and affected host community members providing them access to social services and protection.  

The Community Centre will provide social, legal, and psychological counselling. It will serve to strengthen and maintain a referral network with governmental, non-governmental organizations and institutions that are engaged with IDPs and host community members.  There will be a child friendly space for children who accompany their parents; and dedicated staff will be present to operate a hotline to respond to calls from those in need of protection assistance and counselling.  

During several regional consultations and workshops with UNHCR, IDPs and local authorities stressed the need for specialized service providers and services for the disabled and elderly in areas of displacement and return. The establishment of this centre will serve to address these concerns and assist persons with specific needs, including the elderly and disabled, providing them provide special assistance and attention. The centre has been set up with the intent to also build the capacity of community service providers in the area.

In 2013 UNHCR continues to provide protection and lifesaving assistance. Thus far, nearly 475,433 IDPs, returnees and host community families have been assisted in Hajjah and Sa’ada Governorates. UNHCR distributed tents for temporary shelter and basic household items such mattresses, blankets and kitchen sets to improve living conditions for them

Since 2004, a series of armed conflicts has affected more than 1 million people and repeatedly displaced populations in the northern governorates. Around 320,000 people have been displaced and hundreds of thousands more affected by the conflict and are in need of humanitarian and development assistance. “The international community must do more for Sa’ada and the northern Governorates,” said UNHCR Representative in Yemen, Mr. Naveed Hussain.  IDPs live in camps, informal settlements and with host families and are keen to see a resolution to their displacement. UNHCR will continue to assist IDPs in the northern governorates, enhancing social cohesion, improving their lives in areas of displacement and advocating the sustainability of voluntary returns.  

UNHCR is the lead international agency responding to protection and shelter/NFIs needs of Yemenis that have been internally displaced and has assisted over 146,000 IDPs return to Abyan since July, and is working in developing durable solutions for over 322,000 IDPs in the northern governorates.