More than 280,000 displaced in Yemen as aid access becomes too dangerous: UN

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says more than 280,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Yemen, and that many vulnerable people cannot reach lifesaving aid.

UNHCR described a rapidly worsening crisis for more than 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen, as “escalating insecurity, economic collapse, depleting resources and severe humanitarian access constraints leave tens of thousands with nowhere to turn”.

Aid teams are particularly worried about Kharaz refugee camp in the southwestern governorate of Lahj, close to the front line, sheltering around 9,500 refugees including from Somalia and Ethiopia.

UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said no refugee casualties had been verified, but nearby shelling had disrupted services and restricted movement. Food, health care and water are still being provided, with “significant difficulty”, while schools are suspended and legal and documentation services have been interrupted.

“When access allows, we do move in that assistance, but it has been challenging,” Saltmarsh said. “We’ve been hearing a lot that a number of displaced people have been unable to get to places where we have our supplies and our assistance… in many cases, it’s been too dangerous for us to get to them.”

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN