Islamic Relief has been assisting those affected by the conflict in northern Yemen since the fighting intensified in August 2009. Currently we are managing Al Mazrak 1 camp in Haradh and have set up Al Mazrak 3. We are also continuing to distribute emergency food to people in Sa’ada and Amran.
Camp for displaced people
Al Mazrak 1 has grown rapidly since it was set up in October 2009 and now houses more than 16,200 people, with more arriving every day.
The camp provides people who have fled their homes with shelter, food, healthcare, clean water and education. Around one-third of the children in the camp are malnourished and so a nutrition centre has been set up to provide them with nutritional support.
The majority of the population of the camp are children, many of whom are vulnerable to psychological trauma and abuse. Islamic Relief is running child protection programmes as well as providing traumatised children with psychosocial counselling.
The camp has been designed to offer privacy and to conform to the cultural norms of the local community. There are areas where people can keep their livestock as well as play areas, community centres and training centres.
New camp
Al Mazrak 1 camp was originally constructed to accommodate 10,000 people and has been re-designed several times to hold the additional people. However, many families are still living outside the camp waiting for urgent assistance.
To help relieve the pressure on Al Mazrak 1, Islamic Relief has set up the new Al Mazrak 3 camp, and 800 displaced people have already moved in. This camp will house a further 1,000 families, many of whom been camping outside of Al Mazrak 1 with nowhere to go and in desperate need of assistance.
Like Al Mazrak 1, this second camp has been designed to provide people with all their basic needs including shelter, clean water and sanitation facilities, healthcare, food and social support. It has been designed and purpose-built by Islamic Relief to ensure that it is organised and meets the needs of its inhabitants.
Food distributions
Since fresh fighting began in northern Yemen in August 2009, Islamic Relief has been the main partner of the UN World Food Programme distributing emergency food aid to those trapped inside Sa’ada. Very few aid agencies are currently working in this region but despite the ongoing threats our aid workers have continued to deliver aid to those most in need.
Islamic Relief is continuing to provide monthly food parcels to people in Sa’ada and Amran, and will continue with these distributions for the coming months. So far, more than 47,000 people affected by the conflict have benefitted from these distributions of emergency food aid.
Islamic Relief is rapidly expanding its work in Yemen to meet the needs of those displaced by the violence. To help us do more, please donate here.