In Yemen, tensions and violence remain high in Aden and several southern provinces. Clashes are currently pitting pro-government troops against separatists from the Southern Transitional Council (STC). On Tuesday evening, the leader of the STC fled, reinforcing a climate of uncertainty and fear among the population.
The Mehad teams are monitoring developments very closely. At this stage, the violence is not having a direct impact on our humanitarian activities in Lawdar, in Abyan province, but travel has become too risky, severely hampering access to healthcare for the civilian population. What’s more, an escalation of the conflict could quickly have a more direct impact on civilians, who are already extremely vulnerable, and further hamper access to healthcare.
Travel has become too dangerous
The deteriorating security situation has forced Mehad to adapt its operations. Travel between Aden and Abyan, which is essential to the smooth running of our business, is now too risky.
“Our teams work from home. There is no movement, whereas previously we used to travel the Aden-Abyan route every month to provide our support and spend one or two weeks there,” explains Ghazali Babiker, Mehad’s head of mission based in Aden.
“According to our local partners and those in charge of the Lawdar hospital, the situation is particularly alarming: even the local population no longer dares to go to the health facilities. Insecurity on the roads is deterring families from seeking vital treatment.
Being ready, despite the constraints
Despite these constraints, Mehad remains mobilised. Our teams are ready to receive any injured people and to step up their humanitarian response as soon as the security situation allows.
In a country already ravaged by years of conflict, each new outbreak of violence further weakens an exsanguinated healthcare system and populations lacking everything. Mehad continues to warn of the humanitarian consequences of this instability and reaffirms its commitment to stand by the side of Yemeni civilians, now more than ever in need.
