On 8 April, residents fill their containers with water at outdoor taps in Sanaa, the capital, which is experiencing an acute shortage of clean drinking water. In April 2015 in Yemen, localized conflict among government forces, militants, tribal fighters and other parties since mid-March has spread to many parts of the country. Armed conflict has continued to intensify, and airstrikes, which began on 26 March, have affected 18 of the countrys 22 governorates. The escalating violence has taken a significant toll on civilians. By 12 April, an estimated 364 civilians had been killed and 681 had been injured. At least 77 children had also been killed and 44 had been injured. Infrastructure has also been destroyed, damaged or disrupted as a result of the fighting, including airports and bridges, power and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supply, as well as hospitals, educational and religious institutions, factories, farmlands and local markets. Homes are being directly affected by airstrikes and armed clashes, particularly in the south. The intense fighting has caused large-scale displacement, forcing about 150,000 people to flee their homes. Many of the displaced are believed to be staying primarily with relatives or acquaintances, and others are sheltering in schools. However, many of the most-vulnerable are unable to flee to safety. Insecurity, the closure of ports and other restrictions have significantly exacerbated humanitarian needs and hampered access and the delivery of vital aid to vulnerable communities. Food insecurity is rising, with food prices estimated at 40 per cent and even higher in some areas. The number of people who are food insecure is now estimated at 12 million a 13 per cent increase since the start of the crisis. Fuel, urgently needed to pump water and to maintain services at hospitals and other critical facilities facing frequent power outages, has run out in many areas and, where it is available, prices have skyrocketed, qu
Stimoleranno la ricostruzione dei servizi pubblici e delle attività produttive
La Commissione europea ha recentemente disposto lo stanziamento di un nuovo pacchetto di aiuti allo sviluppo a favore dello Yemen, per un valore complessivo di 79 milioni di Euro.
La nuova misura contribuirà al processo di ricostruzione del Paese, devastato da una guerra civile iniziata nel 2015 e tutt’ora in corso che ha causato oltre 100.000 vittime e oltre 2 milioni di sfollati.
In dettaglio, il nuovo pacchetto supporterà la ricostruzione dei servizi pubblici essenziali, garantendo l’accesso ad istruzione, assistenza sanitaria, derrate alimentari e acqua potabile. Inoltre, contribuirà a sostenere la ripresa delle attività produttive, con particolare riguardo alla produzione agroalimentare – essenziale in un Paese nel quale si stima che 15.9 milioni di persone (su 30 milioni di abitanti) vivano senza la garanzia di potersi procurare il cibo necessario al proprio sostentamento.
Con quest’ultimo stanziamento, gli aiuti allo sviluppo erogati dall’Unione a favore dello Yemen ammontano complessivamente a 323 milioni di Euro, ai quali si aggiungono i 440 milioni di Euro stanziati dall’Unione per fornire assistenza umanitaria di base alla popolazione del Paese.
