Marib – The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Chief of Mission in Yemen, Christa Rottensteiner, recently returned from a two-week visit to Marib governorate. Through site visits and meetings with the local authorities, humanitarian partners, the displaced community and migrants, the aim of this senior level trip was to contribute to the improved provision of humanitarian assistance in the governorate, which is struggling to support thousands of vulnerable communities.

“From the start of the conflict, Marib has welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced Yemenis. And since last year, we have seen nearby clashes lead to over 100,000 people becoming displaced; in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection,” explained Rottensteiner.

In response to mass displacement starting in January 2020, IOM and humanitarian partners scaled up their response to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, prioritizing life-saving interventions such as distributing shelter materials, relief items, food, water and facilitating access to health care as well as providing individual protection support to vulnerable cases.

“There are alarming gaps in the humanitarian response in Marib; acute needs are so high it is clear that current capacity on the ground cannot meet them. We continue to encourage partners to prioritize the response in Marib and, through the humanitarian hub, IOM is facilitating humanitarian actors’ much needed presence on the ground,” Rottensteiner added.

Al Jufainah Camp is the largest displacement site in Yemen, hosting over 52,000 displaced people. Rottensteiner visited the Camp and saw improvements supported by IOM, such as, upgrading the electricity network and the construction of a flood wall, children’s playgrounds and a health centre. IOM also operates mobile medical teams covering 26 displacement sites. The health centre and mobile teams conduct an average of 1,500 health consultations a week. Without these services, displaced people in Marib would have little access to live-saving health care.

As part of IOM’s support to the local COVID-19 response, the Organization constructed the Al Mardaa quarantine centre in Marib Al Wadi. During her visit, the IOM Chief of Mission handed over the Centre to the Ministry of Public Health and Population. Additionally, IOM constructed a quarantine centre in Al Jufainah Camp, and prior to that had constructed an isolation and treatment centre in Marib city, fully equipped with all needed equipment. Although there is little known about the rate of transmission in Yemen, ensuring the country develops it capacity to treat critically ill patients is vital.

Marib is also a hub for migrants, as it is used as a transit point on the route to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, COVID-19 related movement restrictions have led to thousands of migrants becoming stranded in the governorate

“Meeting with migrants in Marib, it is clear that they, like other vulnerable communities, need our support. We cannot be a happy or healthy society, if all groups are not supported,” said Rottensteiner, remarking on her visit to a migrant settlement in Marib.

Although Marib is experiencing an acute emergency like much of Yemen, its communities’ futures also need to be supported through longer-term projects. To build education capacity for children, particularly those displaced, in Marib, IOM is constructing a primary school, which Rottensteiner visited during her trip. When completed, 1,260 students, including displaced people, returnees and host community members, will be able to learn in its facilities. Vocational education can also be vital for young adults. In partnership with local organizations and technical training institutes, the Organization trained 250 people in the second half of 2020 in skills such as electronics repair, sewing, hair dressing, perfume making and others, and provided them with start-up kits to practice their vocations. To provide immediate access to income as well as improve communities, IOM also engaged 350 people in cash-for-work cleaning campaigns.

Additionally, IOM is starting up to 26 community asset rehabilitation projects in Marib including facilities for education, health, and water and sanitation. This support is aimed to improve access to services and build social cohesion in displacement affected communities.

For more information, please contact IOM Yemen: ·  Arabic: Mennatallah Homaid, Tel: +967739888755, Email: mhomaid@iom.int · English: Olivia Headon, Tel: +967730552233, Email: oheadon@iom.int