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Further assistance required for IDPs
During a meeting with representatives of various international organizations, Al-Kohlani asserted the importance of coordination between organizations, the local authorities and the executive unit to provide assistance to the people affected by clashes that broke out between Ansar Al-Sharia and the Yemeni military in Abyan and to ensure aid is provided to IDPs in Aden.
Al-Kohlani said moving IDPs from schools in Aden to Abyan has been discussed in the meeting. They could be moved elsewhere so students would actually be able to study in the schools.
Al-Kohlani said IDPs are able to return to Abyan if they desire. A list has been made up for those who want to return to their homes. He said it is important to restore drinking water and electricity to the area for those who resettle.
Al-Kohlani said international organizations should open branches in Abyan to facilitate their work and providing humanitarian assistance. He said President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi gave orders to use the building previously housing Abyan governorate’s compound as a center for the executive unit and for other international organizations providing humanitarian support.
Fathia Abdullah, representative of the U.N. Refugee Agency, said efforts must be exerted to help IDPs go home.
“We established a mechanism with the government and local authorities to help the IDPs,” she said.
Deepa Fakhr, a Red Cross spokesperson, said the Red Cross is providing food and other necessities for the IDPs in Hesn and Jaar areas. If there is a need to work with other organizations, the Red Cross will do it, Fakhr said.
“We work alone depending on the Red Cross’s evaluation. The aid is being provided in the Red Cross Office in Aden. Currently, we are working on water project maintenance and distributing power generators in Abyan.”
