Aid pledge for war-affected families in north

Thousands of people affected by the fighting in May between army units and Shia rebels in Harf Sufian District of the northern governorate of Amran will receive aid, a senior official has said.

[Read this report in Arabic]

Sheikh Bakil Hubaish, head of the ruling General People's Congress and a prominent tribal leader in Harf Sufian, said food and non-food items would be distributed to 6,000 households in the area, including flour, rice, sugar, oil, blankets and 400 tents. Distribution would start on 6 September, although the tents had yet to arrive.

"The condition of the war-affected families is deplorable. The priority will be given to the displaced families and also the families of pro-government tribesmen [who were killed while fighting al-Houthi supporters]," Hubaish told IRIN.

Armed groups that supported Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, a Shia rebel leader based in Saada Governorate, which borders Harf Sufian, fought army units trying to enter Saada in May. The rebels also closed the Sanaa-Saada highway, which resulted in fierce clashes.

Several villages were totally destroyed by air bombardments after the rebels took refuge in them, according to citizens.

Photo: Google Maps

A map of Yemen highlighting Saada and Amran provinces

Hubaish said engineers had begun assessing the damage in a bid to compensate those affected in Harf Sufian, the largest district in Amran Governorate.

He said more than 1,000 houses were either partially or totally destroyed in the fighting.

"Those whose houses were destroyed will be compensated. The initial payment will be 30 percent of the compensation money. With that money they will have to start the reconstruction process and if they do, they can get the rest of the compensation money," Hubaish said, adding that a specialised team would decide the size of compensation.

“As for public buildings, the authorities will be responsible for the reconstruction process," he said. About 20 government buildings were destroyed by the fighting.

Landmines

A team of specialists has also been tasked with removing landmines in Harf Sufian. Some were planted on unpaved roads and in houses. According to Hubaish, the landmines were planted by al-Houthi followers.

Hubaish further said that about 1,000 families had been displaced by the fighting. Of those, 700 have returned and the rest were still displaced nearby. Each family comprises between seven and 15 people, he said.

"The displaced families live in nearby areas like Houth, Khamer and Raidah. Some have gone to live with their relatives in Sanaa, the capital," Hubaish said.

maj/ar/mw