As fighting continues unabated across Yemen, millions of people are struggling to meet their basic needs.
In the southern city of Aden, around half the population are displaced from their homes, seeking shelter in any available space in the town. There are also many families fleeing violence further north. Food is in very short supply, as is water, fuel and electricity.
In Bani Hushaish district, in central Yemen, refugee registration officer, Aicha Ahmed Saleh, states: “The situation has become really dire now with the fighting, on top of the difficult situation our country was already facing.”
Mora Al Nahim fled the fighting in Nojoom: “I alone have eight children and my brother is supporting eight as well. We had to leave because of shelling in Nojoom. Our homes were destroyed and our children trembled with fear.”
Food prices have skyrocketed in Yemen since the fighting began in March. Most stores are closed or have only a few goods to sell and even then, people often cannot get to what is available because of intense fighting.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is one of the few organisations operating in the country. As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, the ICRC is distributing emergency food rations to people. In Bani Hushaish District, the organization provided food for 600 families.
The ICRC stresses that parties to the conflict have obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure civilians can safely access clean water, food and healthcare.
Shotlist
Location: Bani Hushaish District, Yemen
Length: 3:04
Format: Mov H264 HD
Production: Shanin Ammane
Sound: Arabic
ICRC ref: AV333N
Date: 2 July 2015
Copyright: ICRC access all
0:00 GVs of displaced people and distribution
SOUNDBITE: Aicha Ahmed Saleh, Refugee registration officer at Bani Hashish District (in Arabic)
0:42 We are currently at Bani Hushaish District, welcoming the International Committee of the Red Cross who has come to help more than 600 displaced families in this village. We thank them for helping us.
0:58 We have begun distributing food with the International Committee of the Red Cross today. This organisation came to help displaced families because of the fighting.
1:22 We are responsible for the distribution of the items for the people in need. The situation has become really dire due to what our country is facing right now with the fighting in addition to what was already difficult here.
SOUNDBITE: Mora Al Nahim, displaced man from Nojoom (in Arabic):
1:57 I alone have eight children and my brother is supporting eight as well. We came here where there a lot of displaced people from San’aa from Noqoom neighbourhood. People are still coming here from all over Noqqom and Musayk looking for shelter.
2:30 We came here to this village as displaced people fleeing Noqoom. We thank this village for welcoming us. We had to leave because of the shelling in Nojoom. Our homes are destroyed and our children trembled with fear. We are grateful to the ICRC for helping us.
END 3:04