 |
| Yemen: No Relief in Sight Life is desperate for those who flee |
| Somalia: Urgent need for relief - A growing circle of suffering |
| In person with Abraham ABRAHAM |
| Angelina Jolie: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador |
|
|
|
|
  |
Allessandra Morelli and Loutfi Beldjelti in Northern Yemen
Twelve ERTeam members were sent to northern Yemen
to provide protection and assistance for a growing
population of internally displaced people.
To help you better understand how ERTeams operate, we introduce you to two workers, who between them have 33 years of field experience with UNHCR.
Allessandra Morelli and Loutfi Beldjelti returned recently from northern Yemen where fighting between government troops and Al Houti forces has displaced more than 250,000 people. UNHCR was among the first agencies to respond to the crisis.
What was your role in this emergency?
LB: I was in charge of protection, ensuring the internally displaced people (IDPs) access to shelter, safety, documentation – all the rights highlighted in the Human Rights Charter.
AM: I was deployed for two weeks to take stock of the current response, analyze the gaps and ensure that we prepare ourselves for all scenarios, including the worst case scenario.
What is the situation now for the internally displaced Yemenis?
AM: In Yemen only 11% of our beneficiaries live in camps. The rest are living with host families. We must ensure that these already poor families can continue supporting the internally displaced. If this family structure falls part, we have to build camps but this is really the last resort for us.
Do you expect the situation to worsen in the coming months?
AM: Definitely. This latest conflict, which began in August 2009 is the fiercest and longest so far. Reaching the civilian population is a must for us. We need to help host families and we need adequate funding for our operations in the camps where we are working. People need food, blankets, counselling, activities for the kids and support for the livestock.
Is there one image that stands out in your mind from your time in Yemen?
AM: I was moved by our new generation of Emergency Response Team members – young, motivated UNHCR staff who are proud to be serving on the frontline.
LB: I saw many children traumatized by the war and deprived of their right to go to school. This has pushed me to work even harder and to advocate for them.
Is there any special message you would like to deliver to our readers?
AM: We can all participate in these operations, wherever we are. Whoever supports us to continue our work in Yemen is an operational partner with us in saving lives.
Within the first 45 days of this year, ERTeams delivered life-saving assistance to refugees in Yemen, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka and Chad. They will hit the ground running in many more countries before the end of the year. So many destitute, vulnerable people depend on ERTeams in a crisis, and ERTeams must be able to count on UNHCR’s monthly donors. This edition of ‘With You’ highlights the work of these trained experts, who rely on stockpiled supplies, acquired through reliable funding, to bring tents to earthquake victims in Haiti, water pumps and generators to the displaced in Chad and northern Yemen. UPDATE - HAITI The earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12 claimed more than 200,000 lives and left more than 1.2 million homeless. UNHCR sent immediate support. In the first week, six hospital tents and two aircraft carrying tents and plastic sheeting for more than 90,000 people were dispatched from our logistics hub in Dubai. At the same time, 13 members of UNHCR’s Emergency Response Team were deployed to Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic to provide logistical support and protection services for those considered most vulnerable. Natural disasters like earthquakes fall outside UNHCR's traditional refugee mandate. However, we do provide emergency assistance in countries where we already have an operational presence on the ground and our assistance is required. While we had no operations in Haiti prior to the quake, we are acting in a backup capacity and are providing additional expertise and resources as required by the United Nations wider emergency teams on the ground. We Need You on Our Team Emergency protection work is complex and requires trained experts. UNHCR has the expertise, yet we need ongoing donor support if we are to continue delivering urgently needed survival supplies. Even short term gaps in funding can leave the vulnerable to fend for themselves. Become an ERTeam member In crisis situations, our Emergency Response Team moves into action immediately, working around the clock to save vulnerable lives. Please join us and help our dedicated team carry on their essential work. Go to www.unhcr.ca/ert
|
