The Executive Unit for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Abyan released a report indicating that the number of families suffering from confrontations between the army and Al-Qaeda militants is now 51,000.

There are an estimated 160,000 IDPs total, located in governorates such as Abyan, Lahj, Shabwa, Hadrmout and Al-Beida.

According to the report, approximately 20,000 victims are accommodated in schools in Aden, and another 94,000 IDPs are housed with relatives in Aden.

“My family consists of seven members,” and IDP in Aden said. “We used to live in Zunjubar, near the market. However, the conflicts between the government forces and the militants forced us to abandon our home and belongings. We fled to survive the shelling, taking only a few of our possessions with us.”

He said the family traveled to the Modiah district, two hours from Zunjubar, where they stayed with relatives for two months. The family then moved to Aden.

Schools are crowded with displaced persons, he said. So, his family rented a house; however, his wage is insufficient to cover the rent. He said the government and nongovernmental organizations do not adequately support them.

Abyan’s governor, Mohammed Al-Aqil, said field teams have begun visiting war-torn areas, particularly after Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa’sreconstruction orders for Abyan districts including Zunjubar, Khanfr and Lewder.

Al-Aqil said the defense and interior ministries and local and international organizations have started removing landmines in areas subject to military confrontations. Unexploded ammunition has been collected to avoid any further explosions.

The ministries and the organizations are attempting to educate locals on how to deal with landmines and munitions remains, according to Al-Aqil.

Al-Aqil said food support for the displaced will continue through cooperation with the Executive Unit for the displaced and the international organizations.

Al-Aqil said the basic needs of IDPs currently consist of electricity, water and sanitation. He said the governorate is making efforts to tackle electricity problems.

Abyan needs support from the government, local and international organizations, he said, in orderto rehabilitate ministry offices, corporation compounds and buildings destroyed in Zunjubar and Lewder.

According to the International Planning and Cooperation office in Abyan, the governorate suffered an estimated  $24.5 billion in losses due to political crises and terrorism.