Yemen: Escalating Conflict Flash Update 25 | 5 May 2015 (10.00) Daily Key messages Severe shortage of fuel continues to hamper humanitarian operations as some activities come to a stand still. Overview In Aden Governorate, widespread violence continues and is restricting civilians’ movement. There are reports that parties to the conflict control entrance to Crater and Al Muala districts since 3 May and are not allowing people to leave or supplies to enter. Armed clashes, including sniper activity, continue in the Crater, Al Muala and Khormaskar districts. Heavy clashes were reported in Khormaskar, Dar Sad and Al Al Mualla districts and shelling in Al Mansura District. In Abyan Governorate, heavy clashes occured in Lawder District. In Lahj Governorate, parties to the conflict have reportedly taken over the Faculty of Education in Al Hawtah District. Spread of dengue fever also remains a concern in Lahj with 252 cases reported. Update on the fuel situation: The fuel crisis is limiting the capacity to implement humanitarian activities. The situation is acute in the western governorates. Humanitarian partners have only been able to implement 50 per cent of the activities, planned following a 9 April inter-agency assessment in Raymah Governorate. In Hudaydah Governorate, four mobile teams providing nutritional services in Al Dhahi, Az Zuhrah and Alluhya have suspended their activities due to the current fuel crisis. In Hajjah Governorate, distribution of NFIs to 400 to displaced families in Abs District has been suspended also because of fuel shortages. Access and Humanitarian Response Activities Access Humanitarian activities that were suspended due to hostilities in Haradh and Midi districts (Hajjah Governorate) on 25 April have still not resumed. Partners who have relocated their staff to Al-Hudaydah are monitoring the situation to reconsider the resumption of their activities earliest possible, according to partners. Health partners reported a gap in the provision of medical services in Haradh Hospital due to lack of health staff. The staff were withdrawn due to deteroriation in security situation in Haradh (Hajjah Governorate). Response During the 3 and 4 May, 174,000 people have received food assistance in five governorates (Hajjah, Al Hudaydah, Sana’a, Al Mahwit, and Dhamar). The total number of people reached with food assistance since the beginning of the emergency operation (15 April 2015) is now 1,095,000 in eight governorates ( including Aden, Lahj, and Amran). Partners distributed hygiene kits to 674 displaced families in Az Zuhrah District, 140 families in Alluheyah District in Al Hudaydah Governorate and 592 displaced families in Abs District in Hajjah Governorate. www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Coordination Saves Lives Yemen Escalating Conflict | Flash Update 6 | 2 In Hajjah Governorate, distribution of basic hygiene kits was completed to 450 displaced families living in Mustaba District. Water trucking continued to Haradh Hospital, Abs Hospital and four health units in Abs and Haran districts in the same Governorate, as well as in Lahj, Abyan, and Al Dhale’e governorates. Health partners delivered medical reagents sufficient to treat 4500 cases and 4650 IV infusion bags to Al Thawrah Hospital and the Blood Bank in Al Hudaydah. Partners began implementing cash transfers , to benefit 649 displaced families living in Aslem District (Hajjah Governorate). Beneficiaries receive a one-off cash assistance of approximately 68 USD through local post office. For further information, please see: http://www.humanitarianresponse.info/operations/yemen, http://www.unocha.org/yemen Or contact: Kate Corenthal, Reports Officer, OCHA Yemen, Tel: +972 (0) 79 840 48 45 Email: [email protected] Erich Ogoso, Public Information Officer, OCHA Yemen, Tel : +962 795 203 158, Email: [email protected] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org .