Internal displacement remains one of the defining features of the Yemen crisis after over 157,000 Yemenis were forced to flee their homes due to conflict, announced the United Nations.
The UN indicated that the arrivals to Yemen from the East and Horn of Africa mainly represent migratory movements, and asylum trends are expected to slightly increase in 2022, especially with the conflict in Ethiopia.
The organization announced that COVID-19 protocols continue to challenge assisted returns to Somalia. The deterioration in the security situation in Ethiopia has negatively affected opportunities for voluntary and safe repatriation, with recent data indicating an increase in the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Yemen, including from Tigray.
The UN published its Strategy and Action Plan update, which aims to provide a broad summary of UNHCR's main priorities for Yemen in 2022 and complements the 2022 country strategy available on global focus.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that during 2021 alone, over 157,000 Yemenis were forced to flee their homes due to conflict, particularly in Marib, Taizz, al-Hudaydah, and al-Bayda governorates.
"With ongoing and unrelenting hostilities, and in the absence of a negotiated political settlement, the trend of new and protracted displacement is expected to continue in 2022."
UNHCR noted that opportunities for safe and dignified returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) might emerge in stable areas. However, the current socio-economic and security situation and the lack of public services concern the returns' voluntary and sustainable character.
UNHCR continues to be the "only agency addressing the protection and well-being of some 102,000 refugees and asylum-seekers across Yemen, mainly from Somalia and Ethiopia."
Refugees and asylum-seekers pay the toll of a deteriorating socio-economic situation, continue to rely on humanitarian assistance, and are often seen as an additional burden on already overstretched public services.
"COVID-19 protocols continue to challenge the resumption of assisted returns to Somalia."
The organization warned that the deterioration in the security situation in Ethiopia has negatively affected opportunities for voluntary and safe repatriation, with recent data indicating an increase in the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Yemen, including from Tigray.
"While arrivals to the country from the East and Horn of Africa mainly represent migratory movements, asylum trends are expected to increase in 2022 slightly."
According to the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), some 66 percent of its 30 million population depends on humanitarian assistance for their daily survival, including over 4.2 million IDPs and 102,000 refugees and asylum-seekers.
Escalation of conflict, ongoing insecurity, embargoes, and a collapsed economy have pushed an estimated 80 percent of the total population below the poverty line and at serious risk of famine, with IDPs significantly more at risk of food insecurity than other Yemenis.
According to indicators of relief work, UNHCR said it would support 1.5 million IDPs and vulnerable members of the host community and some 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers with multi-purpose cash assistance.
Furthermore, 65,000 IDPs and 5,000 refugee and asylum-seeker families will receive essential relief items, and 38,000 IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers with special needs will have access to psychological first aid and psychological support.
The organization stated that 55,000 IDP families would receive emergency shelter kits, 20,000 IDP families would be supported with transitional shelters, 45,000 IDP families will receive cash grants for rental accommodation and house rehabilitation.
Under this plan, $7 million will be allocated for self-reliance, economic inclusion, and livelihoods, where 12,000 vulnerable displaced individuals will benefit from cash-for-work initiatives and other livelihood interventions.
Another $7 million will be earmarked for voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration, resettlement, and complementary pathways, where UNHCR will continue to explore the voluntary return of refugees through intention surveys, registration, counseling, provision of legal documentation, and pre-departure assistance and transport.
UNHCR will continue to strategically use resettlement and advocate with resettlement countries for increased opportunities, it said.
