Please refer to the attached files.

The lives of nearly 44 million people in Ukraine have been impacted since the escalation of the war one year ago. Nearly 18 million men and women, boys and girls are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance within Ukraine, including the 6 million internally displaced, and a further 8 million have been forced to flee into neighbouring countries. Ahead of the one-year mark of the escalation of the international armed conflict, the undersigned members of the Ukraine Advocacy Working Group call on the international community to urgently prioritise: the protection of civilians; humanitarian access to hard to reach communities in need; localisation and durable solutions.

Protection of Civilians

This intensification of hostilities over the last 12 months, including the use of explosive weapons and legally banned weapons, such as antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions, has resulted in widespread civilian casualties. The near-daily missile attacks have repeatedly affected civilians and civilian infrastructure including water, electricity and gas supply systems, as well as communication infrastructure. These attacks are having multi-layered impacts on women, men and children. They affect people’s safety and their physical and mental health, they harm livelihoods, and compromise access to healthcare and education.

Women and girls of diverse, intersecting identities continue to face extremely high risks of gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic violence and sexual exploitation and lack essential services, including for sexual and reproductive health. Girls and boys continue to witness atrocities, and many suffer from long-term physical and psychological injuries. There are widespread reports of grave human rights violations including torture and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in areas of active fighting close to the front line. People remaining close to the frontlines are disproportionately older persons and people with disabilities, with specific needs and who experience barriers to access services, evacuations or IDP shelters. Persons at risk of discrimination, including LGBTQI+ individuals, Roma and Third Country Nationals are also experiencing challenges in accessing humanitarian assistance in an equitable or dignified manner.

Humanitarian Access

Despite growing humanitarian needs, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine, humanitarian access to Russian-controlled territories continues to be denied and it is near impossible for aid workers to reach the communities most in need. Some areas have not received any assistance from aid organisations in Ukraine since February of last year. Aid currently flowing across the contact line is often carried in small quantities and at significant personal risk to volunteers and other community workers. Over 4 million people live in areas with high to extremely high access constraints, with the highest severity of needs among people living in Russian controlled areas or in areas directly affected by active hostilities. None of the inter-agency humanitarian convoys have been able to cross between Ukraine and Russian controlled areas, despite repeated attempts and negotiations. Only three out of sixteen humanitarian convoy attempts to evacuate civilians from Mariupil and Zaporizka oblast have been successful.

There is no freedom of movement for civilians between areas under Ukrainian control and those controlled by Russia, including to seek safety or to be reunited with family. In areas no longer experiencing active hostilities, widespread mine contamination is preventing safe return, recovery and the delivery of aid. Regular, unfettered humanitarian access, including through safe routes when necessary, must be ensured to allow free movement of civilians, aid workers and relief items. Humanitarian organisations are calling for the international community to conduct urgent and targeted advocacy on humanitarian access at the most senior levels and as a standalone priority.

Localisation

Local and national organisations, including women’s organisations and those working with marginalised groups, were the first responders when the war escalated. They remain the primary providers of humanitarian aid in Ukraine today, particularly in the Russian controlled areas and other high-risk areas. Yet, they remain severely under-resourced. Resources are still centralised by a handful of international actors, and the humanitarian system is struggling to effectively localise the response. Inconsistent provision for multilingual communication also undermines the meaningful participation of local and national organisations.

Furthermore, the available funding is usually short-term, with heavy and time-consuming compliance, reporting and due diligence requirements. Beyond the financial support, local civil society organisations and affected communities must be supported to participate in all decision-making spaces relating to the ongoing humanitarian response, as well as in eventual recovery and reconstruction efforts. Concerted efforts are needed to genuinely progress on international commitments to localisation.

Durable solutions

Nearly 6 million people are internally displaced across Ukraine, with shifting frontlines regularly causing new displacements. Those IDPs still residing in collective centres are among the most vulnerable: 64 percent of them are women, 25 percent children, 17 percent older people and 15 percent people with disabilities. These collective shelters lack adequate living conditions and do not meet basic protection standards, including for GBV risk mitigation, increasing the chances of women and girls’ exposure to harm and abuse. IDPs across Ukraine need access to protection, including mental health and psychological support services and GBV services, social support, legal aid and cash assistance.

Durable solutions for displaced need to be at the heart of humanitarian response, recovery and reconstruction planning for the country. Only a small number of local governments have adopted programs to provide temporary or permanent housing for IDPs, while the vast majority of displaced live in compact settlements and in private households with friends and acquaintances. Without comprehensive durable solutions and accommodation strategies, linked to the nation-wide recovery and reconstruction plans, IDPs and refugees may end up displaced for a protracted period of time. Across Europe, where nearly 8 million refugees from Ukraine have sought protection, it is equally vital to ensure continued reception support and expanded inclusion and early integration measures for refugees, including access to education, healthcare and social services, labour market and housing. Displaced families within and outside of Ukraine, as well as conflict-affected communities across the country, need long-term support to overcome trauma, cash assistance to meet their basic needs, and strategies to increase their resilience.

We are calling on all relevant stakeholders to prioritise the following:

• Urge for International Humanitarian Law to be fully upheld with due consideration to the principles of humanity, necessity, proportionality, and distinction. All attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, should be systematically condemned and responsible individuals held accountable.
• Commit to fully fund the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, and Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP). Ensure that all interventions (in response plans and beyond) are informed by the views of all affected people, including consulting women, children and marginalised groups on their specific needs and priorities.
• Ensure that all interventions (in response plans and beyond) are informed by intersectional gender analysis and sex, age, race, ethnic background and disability disaggregated data.
• Urgently reinforce dialogue on humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas and ensure that people can access humanitarian aid wherever they are.
• Scale up direct, flexible and unrestricted funding for national and local organisations. Foster the development of new pooled funds and consortia modalities for smaller and newer humanitarian NGOs and voluntary networks to allow for WROs/WLOs, LGBTQIA+, and youth-led organisations working with marginalised groups to access funding. In coordination with intermediaries, UN agencies and INGOs, harmonise and simplify reporting procedures, due diligence and compliance processes.
• Ensure meaningful consultation and participation of Ukrainian civil society organisations, including WROs/WLOs, LGBTQIA+, and young people-led organisations working with marginalised groups and affected communities in all decision-making spaces and dialogue to develop approaches to localisation, including provision for multilingual communication.
• Double-down efforts to protect and support refugees from Ukraine by helping them meet their basic needs, providing them with reception, inclusion, and early integration support to ensure people can make voluntary and informed decisions about their future.
• Scale up humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction efforts, as well as coordination between aid organisations and local service providers to ensure durable solutions for displaced individuals and families, both inside Ukraine and abroad. Meaningful participation of IDPs, including older women and men, in the development of solutions and the decision-making on housing, employment and other needs on the local and national level must be at the heart of these processes. Consultations should be extended to those displaced in host countries.

SIGNATORIES

1. ACTED

2. ActionAid

3. Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund

4. AFEW International

5. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

6. Caritas Switzerland

7. CLEAR Global

8. Cherkasy Human Rights Center

9. Christian Aid

10. CORUS International

11. Danish Refugee Council

12. FHI 360

13. Handicap International Federation -- Humanity & Inclusion

14. HelpAge International

15. Helping to Leave

16. Helvetas

17. HIAS Ukraine

18. International Rescue Committee

19. INTERSOS

20. Medical Teams International

21. Medicins du Monde International Network

22. Mercy Corps

23. Norwegian People's Aid

24. Norwegian Refugee Council

25. Oxfam

26. People in Need

27. Plan International

28. Polish Humanitarian Action

29. Premiere Urgence Internationale

30. Right to Protection

31. Charitable organization "Charitable foundation "ROKADA"

32. Save the Children

33. Solidarités International

34. Stabilization Support Services

35. STAN NGO

36. Terre des Hommes

37. War Child

38. Welthungerhilfe

39. WeWorld

40. World Vision

Following today’s High-Level Yemen Pledging Event, held in Geneva, INGOs working in Yemen are deeply concerned over the expected consequences of a major funding shortfall. World leaders pledged less than US$ 1.2 bn for a humanitarian response that requires more than triple that amount.

The reduced funding to help the Yemeni people access protection, food, shelter and other lifesaving services comes at a critical time. Last year’s six-month truce brought hope to millions as fighting, civilian casualties and conflict-related displacement decreased significantly. But failure to renew the truce after it expired last October means that the situation remains extremely volatile, and the humanitarian situation remains dire with no significant decrease in the number of people in need.

“The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is one of the worst and most complex in the world, affecting millions of civilians who are in urgent need of assistance. Without adequate funding, it will be impossible to provide life-saving assistance to those who need it the most. We cannot allow the people of Yemen to suffer any longer.”

“I urge the international community to recommit to their promises and to work together to ensure that the needs of the Yemeni people are met with the urgency and scale that the situation demands. Ending the conflict is key to reduce the impact of the crisis on Yemeni people and the international community must double diplomacy to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace,” said Action for Humanity Country Director Mohammed Bahashwan. While donors at the conference clearly highlighted the seriousness of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, the signatories would like to emphasize the complexity of reaching a real political solution to Yemen’s long conflict and the role that addressing extreme levels of humanitarian need will play in that process.

Humanitarian actors have assessed that US$ 4.3 billion is needed to help more than 17.3 million Yemenis survive. Although fighting has reduced in many places, the economic crisis continues to push up prices of food and basic goods and services, making them increasingly out of the reach of many. Without steady sources of income, families remain dependent on humanitarian aid.

Over 4.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, making Yemen the sixth largest displacement crisis in the world. Less than half of health facilities are currently reported to be functioning, with about 11 percent fully or partially damaged due to the conflict. There was an increase of an estimated 280,000 out-of-school children in 2022. Additionally, civilian victims of explosive remnants of war increased by 160 percent, even while the truce held.

Last year’s humanitarian response was only 52.5 percent funded and INGOs fear a continued downward trend will require aid agencies to further reduce life-saving assistance.

The gap in funding at this critical time will have not only an immediate negative impact on the lives of millions of civilians in Yemen, but on the long-term stability of the country. INGOs call on the international community to demonstrate its continued commitment to the people of Yemen by increasing the pledges towards the humanitarian response in the coming months.

Signatories:

ACTED/ Action Contre la Faim/Action for Humanity/ADRA/CARE/Catholic Relief Services/Center for Civilians in Conflict/Danish Refugee Council/ Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe/Direct Aid/ Handicap International - Humanity and Inclusion/Human Appeal/ Humanitarian Aid & Development Org/International Rescue Committee/Intersos/Islamic Help UK/ MEDGLOBAL/Mercy Corps/Norwegian People’s Aid/Norwegian Refugee Council/Oxfam/People in Need/Polish Humanitarian Action/Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale/READ Foundation/Relief International/Saferworld/Save the Children/Search for Common Ground/ SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL/Vison Hope International/War Child Canada/War Child UK/ZOA

For more information, please contact:

Ahmad Baroudi, Media and Communications Manager, Save the Children, ahmad.baroudi@savehechildren.org, +46 766355550

Nicola Banks: Advocacy Manager, Action for Humanity, nicola.banks@actionforhumanity.org +44 7935 387 076 END

Please refer to the attached files.

As we mark eight long years of the conflict in Yemen and one year since the start of the now lapsed truce agreement of 2 April 2022, we call on you to maintain sharp focus on reaching a new truce deal and initiating steps towards a real, long-lasting, and inclusive Yemeni peace process.

The six-month truce shifted Yemen into a new phase, one that could represent the beginning of the end of this conflict. We call on you to ensure that this moment of opportunity grows into lasting peace and promise for the people of Yemen, a new era that would enable them to restore their lives and contribute to building the future of their country.

Since the truce came into effect last year, fighting, conflict-related displacement and civilian casualties have notably decreased. As organizations actively involved in the humanitarian response across Yemen, we have seen firsthand how the movement of commodities and people has opened, enabling them greater access to lifesaving services like medical care, or simply the ability to reunite with friends and family. We have frequently heard from those we serve, how they have been able to dream again, of a better future and a life of opportunity and growth instead of suffering and stunting.

This progress is nothing short of extraordinary. It is the result of a growing political willingness to find a peaceful resolution for the people of Yemen and must be acknowledged. But the gains that have been made are fragile. We call on you to protect the people of Yemen by fully respecting International Humanitarian Law and facilitating unencumbered humanitarian access for aid actors to reach communities in need. We also call on you to refrain from using the economy and its institutions to inflict harm that all too often is felt largely by the civilian population. Economic deterioration, divided monetary systems, lack of salaries and rising prices, continue to exhaust millions of Yemeni families.

At the recent pledging event for the humanitarian response in Yemen, INGOs called on the international community to compliment peace efforts with renewed funding to promote a holistic recovery in Yemen. We were shocked and appalled when less than one third of the funds needed were pledged. We will not stop in our efforts to secure the full amount of funding needed to ensure the safety and dignity of those in need of humanitarian aid. We make that commitment to the Yemeni people. At the same time, all parties to the conflict must work together to ensure a lasting peace and that an equitable recovery from conflict is delivered. The people of Yemen deserve nothing less.

Any truce and longer-term peace process must be inclusive. CSOs, women, youth and marginalized communities should have a seat at the table. As we move into the ninth year of the conflict in Yemen, we call on you to stand firm for peace. May this Ramadan be a time of introspection and hope for the future of Yemen and may this year's sad mark of the conflict in Yemen be the last.

Sincerely,

International non-governmental organisations:

1. Medglobal
2. Norwegian Refugee Council
3. INTERSOS
4. Islamic Relief Worldwide
5. Action for Humanity International
6. Save the Children
7. FSE Yemen
8. CARE
9. Polish Humanitarian Action
10. Marie Stopes International Yemen
11. Caritas Poland
12. Danish Refugee Council
13. War Child Canada
14. ADRA
15. READ Foundation
16. OXFAM
17. ACTED
18. ZOA
19. Relief International
20. People in Need
21. War Child UK
22. The Center for Civilians in Conflict
23. Norwegian People's Aid
24. International Rescue Committee
25. Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion
26. Mercy Corps
27. Qatar Charity
28. Action Contre la Faim
29. Saferworld
30. Première Urgence -- Aide Médicale Internationale
31. Vision Hope International
32. Humanitarian Aid and Development Org

Yemeni civil society organisations:

1. Abs Development Organization for Women & Child
2. Democracy School
3. White Hands Association for Women's Development
4. Rawabi AL-Nahdah
5. The Association for the Care and Rehabilitation
6. Nasaem Foundation for Development
7. Red Crescent Division Abs
8. Weaam Empowerment Foundation
9. Make Hope for Development and Relief (MHDR)
10. Musahmah Orgnization for Human Development
11. Ramz Development Foundation
12. Tomorrow Foundation for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Relief
13. FANAR ADEN Foundation for human work
14. Forum of students of Marib ( FSMCD )
15. Nasaem Foundation for Development
16. Association Trend of Human Development Mahweet Governorate
17. THE HUMANITARAIN FORM YEMEN
18. Angela for Development and Humanitarian Response
19. Rifa Foundation for Community and Human Development
20. Generations Without Qat (GWQ)
21. Enjaz foundation for Development
22. Itar Foundation for Social Development
23. Khadija Foundation for Development
24. I'm Rural woman Organization for Community Development
25. Yemeni National Midwives Association
26. National Foundation for Development and Human Rights
27. Yemeni Development Network For NGO's
28. Sustainable Development Foundation
29. Soul For Development
30. Medical Mercy Foundation
31. Building Foundation for Development
32. Youth Leadership Development Foundation
33. All Girls Foundation for Development
34. Family Counseling & Development Foundation
35. For All Foundation
36. Yemen Women's Union
37. Al-Aman Organization For Blind Women Care
38. Hemmat Shabab Foundation For Development
39. Relief and Development Peer Foundation
40. Rawahel Foundation for Development
41. Wa3i Foundation
42. Benevolance Coalation For Humanitarian Relief
43. Field Medical Foundation
44. Nahda Makers Foundation
45. Civil Alliance for Peace
46. Afaq Shababia Foundation
47. Marib Girls Foundation
48. Alf Ba Civilian & Coexistence Foundation
49. Creative People Solutions Foundation
50. Yemeni Response Council
51. Resonate! Yemen
52. LOOK INSIDE Foundation For Development
53. Jeel Al Bena Association for Humanitarian Development
54. Gusoor for Peace and Coexistence
55. Ejad Foundation For Development
56. Ma'akum Foundation for Development
57. Deem for Development Organization
58. Musanadah Foundation for Development
59. Yemen Peace School Organization
60. Rowad Foundation
61. Togather for Development & Human Rights
62. YNGO's Coalition for Child Rights Care
63. Tatweer For Development and Humanitarian Response Foundation(TATWEER)
64. Yemen Alkhair for Relief and Development Foundation
65. Mysarah for Development
66. Wujoh Foundation for Media and Development
67. Volunteers Foundation
68. Youth Without Borders Organization for Development
69. Sheba Youth Foundation for Development
70. Improve Your Society Organization
71. Millennium Development Foundation
72. Sada Foundation for Building &Development
73. Rasd Foundation For Human Development
74. Watch for Human Rights
75. National Prisoner Foundation
76. Change Horizon Forum
77. Eayha'a Foundation for calm and social Peace
78. Social Development Hodeidah Girls Foundation
79. Basma Foundation for Child Development and Woman
80. The Center for Strategic Studies to Support Women and Child
81. Social Peace Promotion & Legal Protection
82. Peace and Building Foundation
83. Yemeni Food Bank
84. Yemen Medicine Bank
85. Ithraa Developmental Foundation
86. Future Social Charity Association
87. Yemeni Psychological Association
88. Heran Foundation for Local Development
89. Estijabah Foundation for Humanitarian Aid and Relief
90. Manarat Foundation
91. Social Solidarity Foundation for Development
92. National Organization for Health Development
93. Ghadaq for Development
94. Al-Awn Foundation for Development
95. Wogood for Human Security
96. Mercy Wings Foundation for Relief And Development
97. Cadres Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Relief
98. Knoz Yemen for Humanitarian Development
99. Change Horizons Forum
100. Together We Rise Social Association
101. Qarar foundation for media and development
102. Ethra Foundation
103. Eaha's Foundation for calm & Social Peace
104. Aid response and development organization "
105. Free Media for Investigative Journalism
106. Wama Foundation for Development and Human Rights
107. Wahg Al-hyat Foundation
108. Youth Fingerprint for Relief and Development Organization
109. Namaa Network (YDN)

Please refer to the attached file.

La situation sécuritaire de la Région de Tillaberi reste préoccupante avec des multiples foyers d’insécurité dans l’extrême Nord et Nord-Ouest de ladite région, frontalière avec le Burkina Faso et le Mali. Ces tensions, caractérisées par des incidents de types incursion, menaces, sommation de quitter et enlèvement des personnes et/ou de leurs biens et autres moyens de subsistance, paniquent la population et les contraint souvent à quitter leurs villages pour s’installer dans des localités qu’ils estiment plus sures à ce jour.

Ainsi, le site de Diomana accueil, les déplacés venus du village de Inimraz et Doukou. Ce Mouvement de population fait suite à une incursion d’un GANEs dans le village de Inimraz dans la nuit du 18 au 19 Janvier 2023, soldée par des violences physiques sur des femmes, le vol des biens et plusieurs têtes de bétails emportées.

C’est au total 95 ménages issus essentiellement de l’ethnie touareg qui se sont installés sur un site vierge situé à environ 5 km du village de Diomana sans aucune infrastructure hydraulique ou d’assainissement.

La mission d’évaluation des besoins en Eau Hygiène et Assainissement (EHA) sur le site des déplacés a pour but de comprendre le contexte de déplacement des populations, d’évaluer les besoins prioritaires et de formuler les recommandations à l’endroit de la communauté humanitaire pour d’éventuelles prises de décision.

Please refer to the attached file.

I. Introduction

L’insécurité continue d’être une source de préoccupation qui engendre de déplacements des populations au Niger. Dans la région de Diffa, on observe ces jours dans certaines localités des déplacements de populations occasionnés par les attaques des Groupes Armées Non Étatiques (GANE). La quiétude de ces habitants est mise en péril par les activités de ces groupes (GANE) qui ont généralement pour bilan l’imposition de lourds impôts, vols et pillages des biens. Les menaces deviennent de plus en plus violentes avec des cas de meurtres enregistrés, enlèvements et vols de bétails.

Le vendredi 10 février 2023, un mouvement de 179 ménages s’est installé sur le site de N’gamjini situé à 16 Km au nord de N’Guigmi sur la route de N’Gourti et à 35 Km du village de Mandara koura.

Ce mouvement fait suite à une incursion des GANEs (Groupes Armés Non Etatique), présumés BH (Boko Haram) dans la nuit du 31 janvier 2023 aux environs de 23h, dans le village de Mandara Koura situé à environ 17 km à l’Est de N’guigmi sur le Tronçon Blabrine - N’guigmi. Cette incursion s’est soldée par l’enlèvement de 03 femmes dont l'âge varie entre 18 à 25 ans, 11 Téléphones portables et 153 000 Naira (soient environ 154 000 Fcfa) emportés. Au total 179 ménages dont la majorité sont des femmes et enfants se sont installés sur le site de deplacés de N’Gamjini dont 120 ménages venues de Madara Koura et 59 ménages de Baram Daouyé, un village voisin à Mandara koura. Les ménages déplacés n’ont pas d’abris adéquats, ni des couvertures appropriées. L’évaluation des besoins en Eau Hygiène et Assainissement (EHA) dans ladite localité avait pour but de comprendre le contexte de déplacement des populations, d’évaluer les besoins prioritaires et de formuler les recommandations à l’endroit de la communauté humanitaire pour d’éventuelles prises de décision.

Please refer to the attached file.

I. Introduction

L’insécurité continue d’être une source de préoccupation et de déplacements des populations au Niger. Dans la région de Diffa, on observe ces jours dans certaines localités des déplacements d’individus occasionnés par les attaques des Groupes Armées Non Étatiques (GANE). La quiétude de ces habitants est mise en péril par les activités de ces groupes (GANE) qui ont généralement pour bilan l’imposition de lourds impôts, vols et pillages des biens. Les menaces deviennent de plus en plus violentes et on peut alors enregistrer des cas de meurtres, enlèvements et vols de bétails.

Les éléments d'un groupe armé non étatique ont mené une incursion à N'guel Gnaki qui est une bourgade du lit du Lac Tchad située dans la commune de Bosso le 18/01/2023. En effet, les ravisseurs ont volé 15 troupeaux de petits ruminants à la population et ont demandé en plus de leur forfait un tribut d'un montant de 30 000 nairas par tête (troupeaux d'ovins) à chaque éleveur de la localité. À la suite de ces menaces des jeunes éleveurs ont pris l'initiative de se déplacer avec leurs troupeaux afin de les mettre en sécurité. Lors de leur déplacement, deux enfants bergers ont péri dans le lit d'un cours d'eau des suites d'une noyade. Cette suite d'évènements tragiques à contraint les populations à effectuer un déplacement à la recherche d'un lieu de refuge pour elles et leurs troupeaux. C'est ainsi qu'on a vu débarquer le 22/01/2023 sur le site de N'guel Jigahi 2 les populations majoritairement constituées des jeunes et d'enfants. L'arrivée des déplacés sur le site s'est faite de manière progressive. Ce site est situé dans la commune de Kablewa au nord du département de N'guigmi. Ces populations se sont déplacées pour les uns à pied et pour d'autre à dos d'animaux ou par véhicules de transport. L'alerte sur le déplacement des populations a été lancée par les autorités communales de la localité d'accueil le 28/01/2023.

Le choix du site de N'guel Jigahi 2 est motivé par de la présence des forces de défense et de sécurité de Kabléwa mais aussi par affinités ethniques des populations hôtes et déplacées. Par ailleurs certains services publics sont disponibles dans la localité d'accueil contrairement à la localité de départ ce sont : la santé, le marché, le poste vétérinaire et une école. L'école primaire la plus proche se situe à 7 km du site d'installation des déplacés. Le marché de Kablewa est fonctionnel et dispose des denrées de première nécessité en quantité suffisante pour répondre à la demande de cette population déplacée et hôtes.

Le site d'installation des déplacés ne dispose d’aucune infrastructure d'assainissement et d'eau.

Les populations déplacées ont exprimé le désir de rester définitivement dans la localité d'accueil. Cependant ils n'ont bénéficié d'aucune assistance depuis leur arrivée sur le site. On a pu remarquer durant les évaluations que certains ménages vivent des dons des familles d'accueil et des voisins et survivent ainsi grâce à cette solidarité. Un centre de santé appuyé par l'organisation ACF se trouve à proximité du site d'installation des déplacés et fournit un paquet compet d' activité et l'accès aux soins est gratuit pour tous les déplacés.

Choc : Incursion des éléments d'un groupe armé non étatique à N'guel Gnaki le 18/01/2023. Le bilan fait état de deux enfants bergers noyés dans le lit d'un cours d'eau, d'un vol de 15 troupeaux de petits ruminants et d'une demande de tribut estimée à 30 000 nairas par tête du bétail (troupeaux de bovins).

La mission d’évaluation des besoins en Eau Hygiène et Assainissement (EHA) dans la localité avait pour but de comprendre le contexte de déplacement des populations, d’évaluer les besoins prioritaires et de formuler les recommandations à l’endroit de la communauté humanitaire pour d’éventuelles prises de décision.

Please refer to the attached file.

I. Introduction

La situation sécuritaire de la Région de Tillaberi et de la zone des trois frontières d’une manière générale reste préoccupante en cette début d’année ; elle donne lieu à des déplacements de populations vers plusieurs localités.
Les Groupes Armés Non Etatiques (GANE) multiplient les incursions dans les localités de la Région. Ces attaques ont pour bilan des pertes en vies humaines, des menaces formelles de quitter les localités sous peine de représailles, des demandes de rançons et des cas d’extorsion des biens des populations.

Ainsi, ces incidents sont devenus le quotidien des populations en milieux rurales. Elles se déplacent vers les chefslieux des Communes ou des localités les moins exposées au danger afin de trouver refuge.

La ville de Téra accueille des déplacés internes venus du village de Fantio ; Tessi ; Boutchiga ; Wissiwissi ; Fono ;
Kokorou et kolman. Ce mouvement de population vers Téra a eu lieu du 05 au 20 janvier 2023 et fait suite aux incursions ci-dessous :

• Dans la soirée du 22 Décembre 2022 vers 17h des éléments d’un GANE à bord de 5 motos s’étaient rendus dans le village de Fantio où ils auraient enlevé un homme avant de l’exécuter le lendemain sur une grande voie ;

• Le 4/01/2023, incursion d’un GANE dans le village de Tessi (commune de Gorouol) où ils seraient passés chercher un enseignant qui a puis fuir avant leur arrivée et ensuite menacé la population de représailles ;

• le 14 janvier dans le village de Boutchiga un ultimatum de 72h aurait été donner aux populations de quitter le village.

• Le 16 janvier 2023, incursion dans le village de Wissiwissi d’un GANE venu au environ de 17h à la recherche d’un leader. Ce dernier étant absent ils ont ensuite torturé les populations avant d’emporter les objets de valeurs du village et du bétail ;

• Le 8 janvier 2023, Incursion d’un GANEs dans le village de Fono où ils ont décapité un homme face à son refus de leur indiquer l’endroit où se cache le chef de village ;

• Incursion d’un GANEs dans la localité de Kokorou le 15 janvier, attaque au cours de laquelle il aurait donné un ultimatum de 72 h aux populations de quitter le village ;

• Le 18 janvier 2023, incursion dans le village de Kolman d’un GANEs venu à bords de plusieurs motos. Le bilan s’est soldé par l’enlèvement du chef de village.

C’est au total 142 ménages qui se sont déplacés vers la commune de Téra. Ils sont logés pour la plupart dans des familles d’accueils dans quatre quartiers de la ville dont le quartier de bonne ville, de château, de résidence, et TP.
La mission d’évaluation des besoins en Eau Hygiène et Assainissement (EHA) au profit des déplacés de Téra avait pour but de comprendre le contexte de déplacement des populations, d’évaluer les besoins en WASH prioritaires et de formuler les recommandations à l’endroit de la communauté humanitaire pour d’éventuelles prises de décision.

Please refer to the attached file.

I. Introduction

Les zones frontalières du Burkina-Faso, du Mali à la région de Tillaberi sont confrontées à des attaques par les groupes armés non étatiques, la sécurité est volatile dans ces localités depuis le début de l’année 2021.

D’importants mouvements de population affluent vers les centres les plus sécurisés. Cette insécurité se caractérise par des assassinats, des enlèvements, extorsions des biens et souvent des ultimatums donnés aux populations de quitter leurs terroirs.

C’est dans ce contexte de terreur et de menaces permanentes que les populations des villages de Inagalal, ont effectuées un déplacement en date du 10 au 12 février 2023, pour s’installer à la périphérie de Tondia(Tamirjite). Selon les informations reçues auprès des leaders des déplacés, ce déplacement fait suite à une incursion d’un GANEs dans le village de Inagalal, le 20/01/2023 par les GANEs. Le bilan fait état du bétail emporté, suivi d’un ultimatum donné par les GANEs aux populations de quitter leur terroir.

C’est au total 83 ménages déplacés tous d’ethnie touareg constitués en grande partie des femmes et des enfants, logés pour la plupart dans les champs des particuliers de Tondia (Tamijirte) situé à la périphérie du village de Tondia (Tamirjite) à environ plus de 1 km du côté Est de la voie bitumée. Les ménages déplacés n’ont pas d’abris conformes pouvant leur garantir une sécurité et intimité. Des besoins en biens non alimentaires ont été évoqué avec un accent particulier sur les vêtements pour enfants.

La mission d’évaluation des besoins en Eau Hygiène et Assainissement (EHA) dans la localité avait pour but de comprendre le contexte de déplacement des populations, d’évaluer les besoins prioritaires et de formuler les recommandations à l’endroit de la communauté humanitaire pour d’éventuelles prises de décision.

Please refer to the attached Infographic.

Le Mécanisme de Réponse Rapide (RRM) consiste en un réseau d’acteurs capables de réagir rapidement aux urgences humanitaires grâce au pré-positionnement des intrants de secours, à des processus et procédures convenus et aux capacités dédiées. Le RRM fonctionne en complémentarité avec la réponse humanitaire élargie et les structures étatiques, étant intégré dans l’architecture de coordination établie et faisant parti du Plan de Réponse Humanitaire. L’objectif du RRM est de rendre une assistance immédiate de base aux populations affectées par les conflits armés, les catastrophes naturelles ou les épidémies. Le présent produit d’information est réalisé à partir des données secondaires collectées par les partenaires du consortium sur les activités qu’ils mènent en faveur des populations affectées. Ces derniers renseignent les données de leurs interventions sur la matrice RRM en ligne. Ensuite, elles sont extraites, traitées et comparées mensuellement par l’équipe REACH du Niger afin de réaliser la présente communication.

Please refer to the attached file.

Your Excellencies,
As esteemed leaders committed to alleviating suffering and ensuring regional stability, we respectfully write to you on behalf of the below listed international and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Sudan. We urgently appeal for your support and intervention in facilitating humanitarian access, especially in overcoming the critical issue of pending visa applications and travel notifications and approvals for humanitarian NGOs.
The current situation in Sudan demands immediate humanitarian action – thousands have been killed, at least 3 million displaced and millions more are vulnerable to disease, hunger, and other risks. Whilst some UN agencies and organisations have been able to secure a small number of visas, there are currently over 110 humanitarian NGO visa applications indefinitely pending, many for more than two months now. Several NGOs have not received a single new visa in the past three months. This is further aggravated by the lack of a clear system that appears to preference particular profiles without clear justification on humanitarian grounds as well as the significant challenges NGO workers who remain in country face in renewing their residency permits or extending their visas. This severely impedes the collective ability of the humanitarian system to provide vital and timely assistance to people around Sudan.
Recognising the concerns for security and stability expressed by the Sudanese authorities to limit visa issuance to NGOs, we nonetheless kindly request your esteemed influence to expedite the resumption of visa issuance for all humanitarian NGOs. We also kindly request that a new process for visa issuance with clear timelines and approval processes is outlined in the coming week. There is not a moment to lose in the provision of life-saving aid.
We were heartened that in the past rounds of talks in Jeddah both sides had committed to facilitating humanitarian access, and this was also a conclusion at recent meetings in Cairo and Addis Ababa, in line with obligations to international humanitarian law. We kindly request that these commitments now translate into action, and for all currently pending visa applications to be issued.
Thank you for your dedication to supporting humanitarian efforts that directly improves the lives of people affected by war. Together, we can limit the suffering of civilians.

Please refer to the attached file.

We, the 30 undersigned international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) working in Yemen, are shocked and appalled by the murder of the World Food Programme (WFP) staff member - Moayad Hameidi - who was shot and killed in Al-Turbah, Taiz governorate.

The killing of the WFP staff member is a terrible tragedy. Moayad Hameidi was a dedicated humanitarian worker who was deployed to Yemen to support in providing food assistance to millions of Yemenis who are in desperate need.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We stand in solidarity with the WFP in Yemen who are working under incredibly difficult circumstances. Humanitarian workers are protected under international humanitarian law and should never be a target.

This attack is a reminder of the risks that humanitarian workers face every day in Yemen. We urge all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and respect the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality.

The international community must take urgent action to end the war in Yemen and to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people.

Signed,
Acted
Action Contre la Faim
Action for Humanity
ADRA
CARE International
Caritas Poland
CIVIC
Danish Refugee Council
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
FHI360
Global Communities
Halo Trust
Humanity & Inclusion
INTERSOS
International Rescue Committee
Islamic Help UK
Islamic Relief
Medair
Medecins du Monde
Mercy Corps
Muslim Hands
Oxfam
People in Need
Read Foundation
Relief International
Saferworld
Save the Children
Search for Common Ground
War Child UK

Niamey, Niger, August 5, 2023— In Niger, a country already affected by multiple crises, humanitarian NGOs are warning that further instability could strongly deteriorate the living conditions of the most vulnerable, including women and children who are often the most vulnerable during times of crisis, and hamper the humanitarian response. The combination of sanctions and conflict with the existing vulnerabilities in Niger could have devastating effects on the lives of over 4.4 million people in the country who are already in need of humanitarian assistance.

We, as independent and neutral humanitarian organizations, urge all stakeholders to do their utmost to minimize human suffering and to ensure that assistance can reach those in need, regardless of political situation or decisions.

We further urge all stakeholders to ensure that humanitarian actors can continue their essential work unimpeded and in full respect of humanitarian principles. We also advocate for the inclusion of humanitarian exemptions in all decisions, including sanctions, to prevent adverse impacts on civilians.

Signatories

• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
• Save the Children
• International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO)
• Solidarités International (SI)
• Humanité & Inclusion (HI)
• Action Contre la Faim Espagne
• COOPI- COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
• Wellthungerhilfe (WHH)
• CARE International
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
• Concern Worldwide
• ACTED
• OXFAM
• Mercy Corps
• World Vision

Media contact: Anisa Husain, CARE US Press Officer, anisa.husain@care.org

La situation humanitaire au Niger était déjà critique, sous l’effet de multiples crises - économique, politique, sécuritaire ou climatique. Les ONG humanitaires avertissent qu'une instabilité accrue pourrait fortement détériorer les conditions de vie des plus vulnérables, plus particulièrement celles des femmes et des enfants.

Un risque d’entrave à la réponse humanitaire

Le contexte pour mieux comprendre: Suite au changement politique du 26 juillet 2023, la suspension de toutes les transactions financières et commerciales risque de créer des pénuries et mener à une hausse des prix des denrées de base dans le pays. Cet épisode intervient durant une saison creuse et une crise alimentaire aigue pour la population civile.

Les sanctions annoncées par la communauté internationale pourraient avoir des effets dévastateurs sur la vie de plus de 4,3 millions de personnes qui ont déjà besoin d’une assistance humanitaire dans ce pays (1).

En tant qu’organisations humanitaires indépendantes et neutres*, nous demandons instamment à toutes les parties prenantes de faire tout ce qui est en leur pouvoir pour minimiser les souffrances des populations au Niger. Il faut que l’aide humanitaire parvienne à celles et ceux qui en ont besoin, indépendamment de la situation ou des décisions politiques.

C’est pourquoi nous demandons à toutes les parties prenantes de veiller à ce que les acteurs humanitaires puissent poursuivre leur travail essentiel sans entrave et dans le plein respect des principes humanitaires.

* Liste des ONGs signataires : International Rescue Committee (IRC) - Save the Children International - NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) - Solidarités International (SI) -Humanité & Inclusion (HI) - Action Contre la Faim Espagne - COOPI-COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE - Danish Refugee Council (DRC) - Wellthungerhilfe (WHH) - CARE International - Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) - Concern Worldwide – ACTED – OXFAM - Mercy Corps - World Vision

Source : (1) OCHA, 2023

Please refer to the attached file.

An analysis of the displacement context in Yemen and learning from the implementation of the EU funded Durable Solutions Project

Project entitled “Promoting resilience and social cohesion through an integrated response to vulnerable communities in Yemen” (Reference: MIDEAST/2019/405-730)

INTRODUCTION

With the conflict in Yemen well into its eighth year, the humanitarian crisis continues to be among the largest in the world. Over 23 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The detrimental effects of conflict have been exacerbated by the collapse of the Yemeni Rial, which has led to increased prices for food, fuel, and healthcare. There are approximately 4.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with approximately 1.6 million living in camps. There were over 400,000 new displacements in 2021 primarily because of conflict, but also increasingly due to heavy rains and floods.

An estimated 1.3 million IDPs have returned since the beginning of the conflict, many of whom remain exposed to protection risks, and face barriers to accessing services and finding sustainable livelihoods. Ongoing conflict, insecurity, the economic situation, natural hazards, and decreased funding for agencies responding to displacement all present significant barriers to the 3 durable solutions settlement options (local integration, return, or settlement elsewhere in the country). Against this backdrop, humanitarian and development actors have begun to consider steps that can be taken to unlock protracted displacement and support durable solutions.

“Promoting Resilience and social cohesion through an integrated response to vulnerable communities in Yemen” (also known as the Durable Solutions Project) was a 2.5-year project funded by the European Union that pilots a durable solutions approach to programming in Yemen (reference MIDEAST/2019/405-730). The Durable Solutions Project (DSP) placed a focus on addressing the immediate needs and longerterm priorities of displacement-affected communities. The project was implemented by an ACTED-led consortium in partnership with Care, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Search for Common Ground in Lahj and Dhamar governorates. With the project ending in November 2022, it was an opportune moment to document learning from the project to better understand how actors responding to displacement in Yemen can implement programming that contributes to durable solutions for IDPs. With this in mind, the DSP consortium commissioned a consultant to undertake research with the following 3 objectives:

OBJECTIVE 1:

Solutions analysis Analyse the context vis-a-vis durable solutions in Yemen and the barriers and opportunities it presents for durable solutions focused programming

OBJECTIVE 2:

Learning from DSP Identify learning, including challenges and promising practices, from implementing the DSP in Yemen, with a particular focus on how the project contributed to durable solutions

OBJECTIVE 3:

Programming framework Based on findings under objectives #1 and #2, develop a draft framework for future durable solutions-focused programming in Yemen

This report presents the findings and recommendations of this research. The next section presents the approach and methodology used in the research. Following this, the report is presented in 3 parts corresponding to the research’s three objectives:

• PART 1- Durable Solutions Analysis- provides an analysis of the barriers and opportunities for durable solutions and the extent of displacement-specific needs and vulnerabilities in Yemen. It analyses the displacement context, the lived reality of individuals living in displacement-affected communities, and the nature of the current response to displacement and crisis in Yemen.

• PART 2- Lessons Learned- identifies learning, including challenges and promising practices, from implementing the DSP in Lahj and Dhamar governorates. Nine lessons learned, which are specifically related to how the project contributed towards durable solutions, are presented.

• PART 3- Durable Solutions Programming Framework- proposes interventions and approaches that can be adopted to design and implement humanitarian and development programming that contributes to durable solutions in Yemen. The Framework identifies a set of desired outcomes and a series of interventions related to assessment and analysis, programmatic actions, advocacy, and the adaptation of programming.

Please refer to the attached files.

Already exhausted by more than eight years of war, over 21.6 million people, 75 percent of the Yemeni population, are grappling with humanitarian needs. The people of Yemen need and want to look into the future and move away from humanitarian assistance towards self-reliance and rebuilding their country.
Yemen stands at the historic opportunity for a shift towards lasting peace. The humanitarian community is committed to supporting this shift.

Today, we are still faced with 17 million people who are food insecure. This includes 6.1 million people in the emergency phase under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which signifies extreme food shortages and acute malnutrition, especially affecting women and children, with a risk of hunger-related deaths. Yemen faces critical water shortages for both agricultural production and human use. Nearly 15.4 million people require access to safe water and sanitation to avoid being at risk of cholera and other deadly diseases. Overcrowded living conditions in camps, low immunization rates, and inaccessibility to many children, have seen an increase in measles and rubella cases. Yemen’s health system continues to crumble under the pressure to meet increasing needs with little or no resources, resulting in an estimated 20.3 million people lacking access to healthcare. Across the country, one woman dies every two hours during pregnancy or childbirth, while 6 of 10 births occur without a skilled birth attendant. Mine clearance must be highly prioritised, as Yemen remains one of the world's most contaminated countries with explosive remnants of war (ERW) leading to death and maiming, particularly children.

At least 17.7 million people require protection assistance and services. Women and girls, in particular, face increased risks of violence and exploitation while trying to access basic services due to distant, challenging journeys. More than 11 million children are at risk and need protection and essential services. Nearly one in four Yemenis, or over 5.5 million people, suffer from mental health disorders, mainly as a result of living for years in conflict, and require medical intervention. Tens of thousands of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers travelling on one of the world’s most hazardous routes between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East are exposed to many dangers, including violence, being caught in the conflict frontline, trafficking, and detainment. An estimated 209,000 migrants and more than 71,000 refugees and asylum seekers remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance throughout the country, particularly children who are extremely vulnerable to severe dangers.

Despite the magnitude of these humanitarian needs, the decreasing funding trends continue to worry the humanitarian community in Yemen, with a huge funding gap, steadily rising over the past 5 years, further compounding the situation. By August 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan has seen only 31.2 percent of the USD 4.34 billion needed in funding, resulting in drastic and concerning cuts to aid, impacting the most vulnerable in Yemen. Among these, the recently announced global funding cuts by WFP will lead to a suspension of malnutrition prevention interventions in Yemen from end of September, affecting 2.4 million people. Funding cuts are leaving millions of already vulnerable people exposed to circulating disease outbreaks, hunger, and limited access to health care, as support to health facilities in the most vulnerable areas is also reducing. After 2019, when humanitarian funding was at 87 percent, the funding coverage repeatedly fell well short of needs, eventually amounting to barely over 50 percent in 2022.

In 2022, 43 percent of Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) reached local organisations and while this percentage is a promising increase within this funding mechanism, it has amounted to $32.2 million. This represents a very low percentage of overall funding for Yemen. Concerning levels of funding in 2023 will also negatively impact the thriving and active civil society space and their ability to operate. Increasing quality funding for Yemeni civil society organisations, including women-led organisations, will ensure improved outreach to communities and a positive step towards honouring commitments to localisation.

The country’s economy has also been ravaged. The continued challenges over fuel, weak and contradictory currencies and fiscal policies, and ongoing inflation are impacting the ability of the population to afford essential goods and services, pushing them to resort to irreversible negative coping strategies. The international community must, alongside humanitarian assistance, support Yemen by investing in an economic financial package aimed to stabilise local currencies, support and enable commercial import of commodities into the country, and support solutions towards a mechanism to pay civil servant salaries. Furthermore, with the hope of peace, there is strong momentum to invest in durable solutions to displacement. This is positive as the international community must work to support Yemenis to find alternatives to displacement as soon as safe, dignified, and sustainable options become available.

Humanitarian and development response plans designed to find pathways towards durable solutions to displacement must be informed by the views and preferences of displaced persons, especially in a context where conflict is ongoing. To fully do so, unhindered access is required to all communities to identify their needs and intentions. We hope the forthcoming 2023 Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF)12 will prioritise Yemen. This, in time, will also alleviate dependence on humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian partners continue to deliver aid to an average of 9 million people each month. Between January and July 2023, over 13.6 million people were reached with food assistance, over 4.7 million people were provided with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, over 2.6 million people received healthcare assistance and over 3 million people received nutritional support.

As international and national actors within the humanitarian and development communities in Yemen, we acknowledge the generosity of the donor community in supporting the response over the years and urge donor Member States to urgently consider:

• Upscaling of quality and flexible humanitarian funding, in line with the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan so that UN, INGOs, and particularly to Yemeni civil society organisations, including those supporting women and girls, are empowered to meet needs and to avoid a regression of gains made towards strengthening the resilience of the people of Yemen and support them to regain self-reliance. Yemen’s humanitarian response requires an expanded and more diversified number of donors.

• Ensuring equity of funding across sectors, including those that have traditionally seen underfunding, such as health, education, and protection, mindful that humanitarian support in these sectors has a determining role in longer-term recovery and the country's future.

• Ensuring humanitarian funding is made available as early as possible in the year and continued at regular intervals across the year to enable uninterrupted service delivery.

• Working closely with the undersigned towards collectively increasing coherence between humanitarian and development aid, within a space that supports and encourages inclusive peace efforts. Upscaling of development funding must be a priority, while at the same time not undermining humanitarian funding to address ongoing needs.

As Maya, 10, a landmine survivor, said, “Children and the young generation of today will have a bright future, if the resources are made available. But the leadership must come from the world. My message is to help the children of Yemen live in peace.”

Signed,

UN Agencies

1. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
2. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
3. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
4. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Yemen
5. UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
6. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
7. World Health Organization (WHO)
   International non-governmental organisations
8. Acted
9. Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
10. Action For Humanity International
11. ADRA
12. CARE
13. CIVIC
14. Danish Refugee Council
15. Direct Aid
16. DORCAS
17. Geneva Call
18. GiveDirectly
19. Global Communities
20. Humanitarian Aid & Development Organization
21. Humanity & Inclusion - Handicap International
22. International Medical Corps (IMC)
23. The International Rescue Committee
24. INTERSOS
25. Islamic Relief Yemen
26. Mariestopes International Yemen (MSIY)
27. Medecins du Monde (MdM)
28. MedGlobal (MG)
29. Mercy Corps
30. Muslim Hands
31. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
32. OXFAM
33. Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)
34. People in Need
35. Save the Children
36. War Child Canada (WCC)
37. War Child UK (WCUK)
38. ZOA

Yemeni civil society organisations

1. Abs Development Organization for Woman & Child (ADO)
2. Al Amal Development Association – Shabwa
3. All Girls Foundation for Development
4. Al Maroof Association for Humanitarian Development
5. Al Shafaqa Foundation for Kidney Failure and Cancer Care
6. Angela for Development and Humanitarian Response
7. Arab Human Rights Foundation
8. Association Trend of Human Development Mahweet Governorate
9. The Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Al-Muftah District
10. Atar Foundation for Social Development
11. Basma Foundation for Child and Woman Development
12. Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief
13. Best Future Foundation
14. The Coalition of Humanitarian Relief (CHR)
15. Democracy School
16. Enqath Foundation For Development (EFD)
17. Enjaz Foundation for Development
18. Fanar Aden Foundation for Human Work
19. Food Save Association
20. For All Foundation for Development (FAF)
21. Future Makers Association
22. Generations Without Qat Organization (GWQ)
23. Hemmat Shabab Foundation for Development
24. Humanitarian Work Library
25. I Am For My Country Foundation
26. I’m Rural Woman Organization for Community Development
27. Special Need Association Jameiat Al Iatijat Liltanmiat Al Ansania
28. Kayan foundation for Peace and Development
29. Khadija Foundation for Development
30. Knoz Yemen for Humanitarian Development
31. Life Smile Foundation
32. Make Hope for Development and Relief
33. Mysarah Foundation for Development
34. Nabd Development and Evolution Organization (NDEO)
35. Nasaem Foundation for Development
36. National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (NFDHR)
37. Neda'a Foundation for Development
38. New Life for Solidarity and Development
39. Pioneers Foundation for Development and Rights – Lahj
40. Protection and Rehabilitation Center for Women and Girls
41. Qudrah Organization for Sustainable Development
42. Rawabi Al-Nahdah Developmental Foundation
43. Relief and Development Peer Foundation (RDP)
44. Red Crescent Division Abs
45. Rifa’a Organization for Community and Human Development
46. School Feeding and Humanitarian Relief Project
47. Social Development Hodeidah Girls Foundation
48. Socotra Foundation for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Relief
49. Socotra Women’s Foundation for Response and Development
50. Steps Foundation for Civil Development (STEPS)
51. Sufra Al Amal Association for the People with Special Needs
52. Tamdeen Youth Foundation
53. Tomorrow Foundation for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Relief
54. Weaam Empowerment Foundation
55. White Hands Association for Women’s Development
56. Yemen Center for Human Rights Studies (YCHRS-Aden)
57. Yemen Family Care Association (YFCA)
58. Yemen Karam Organization (YEKO)
59. Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF)
60. Yemen Peace School Organization

Please refer to the attached files.

We, the 25 undersigned international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) operating in Yemen, are devastated by the death of Save the Children staff member Hisham Al-Hakimi who died in detention in Yemen. Hisham was a dedicated humanitarian who had been working with Save the Children since 2006. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.

We stand in solidarity with Save the Children in Yemen who are providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to millions of children and families in extremely challenging circumstances.

Parties to conflict must ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and that their rights are respected, in line with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We are concerned by reports that Hisham was detained without charges or legal proceedings and that no one was able to speak to or see him through the period of his detention. We call for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Hisham’s death.

Furthermore, we remain concerned for the welfare of three UN staff who have been detained — two since November 2021 and one since August 2023. We echo the UN Humanitarian Coordinator's call for the Sana’a Authorities to provide full information on their circumstances as well as visitation access.

Signed,

ACTED
Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
ADRA Yemen
CARE
CIVIC
Concern WW
Danish Refugee Council
Direct Aid
FHI 360
Geneva Call
GiveDirectly
Humanity & Inclusion
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS
Marie Stopes International Yemen
MdM
Mercy Corps
Norwegian Refugee Council
OXFAM
People in Need
PU-AMI
Saferworld
Search for Common Ground
Solidarités International
War Child UK

Please refer to the attached file.

Humanitarian organizations warn of looming food crisis if immediate resolution to negotiations is not reached

Sana’a, 07 December 2023– Twenty-two humanitarian organizations in Yemen today are voicing our deep concern regarding the World Food Programme's (WFP) recent announcement of a “pause” of the General Food Assistance (GFA) programme, which will impact 9.5 million people experiencing food insecurity across northern Yemen.

The suspension of food assistance reportedly comes after unsuccessful negotiations between Ansar Allah (AA) and WFP to reach an agreement on reductions to food assistance, which have been ongoing for nearly one year. Global humanitarian funding cuts have resulted in the need to retarget to reach the most vulnerable. Due to the disruption of food supply chains caused by this pause, it will take at least four months for the resumption of food assistance even if an agreement is reached.

The decision to pause food assistance will exacerbate the already critical humanitarian situation, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, leading to malnutrition, worsening health conditions, increased economic strain, and potentially fueling social unrest and conflict.

According to the WFP, there are currently 17 million people - more than half of the population of Yemen - at crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 and 4), including 2.2 million malnourished children and 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Food assistance has been critical to averting disaster in Yemen, where an estimated 6.1 million people are just one step away from famine.

Even before the suspension was announced, gaps in the food assistance programme have limited the ability to fully meet the needs of vulnerable communities. In October,
Mohammad, an elderly man with 10 family members and no income, told us about the impact of food scarcity. Mohammad’s family is among the 4.5 million internally displaced Yemenis and it had been three months since they last received food assistance. As a result, he was forced to sell some of the little furniture he had remaining in his home in order to secure food for himself and his family.

In one district in Amran Governorate alone, 12,270 families (85,890 persons) received only two food baskets so far this year, down from the expected six they would have received as a minimum based on their needs. Skipping meals is becoming a common reality for families and the risk of resorting to irreversible negative coping mechanisms, such as pulling children out of school for child labour and early marriage, both of which are rising rapidly.

"After years of conflict and economic decline, food aid is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis and suspending it as the country works towards peace is a catastrophic scenario. We understand the fears and concerns of the affected Yemeni people, and we stand in solidarity with them. Humanitarian responders are doing all they can to alleviate suffering and continue our advocacy efforts for renewed food principled assistance," said the undersigned NGOs.

In order to prevent a disastrous food crisis in Yemen, we urgently call on:

• WFP and AA to reach an agreement allowing the resumption of principled food assistance to the most vulnerable communities in Yemen. The sooner an agreement is reached the more likelihood of averting the risk of famine conditions returning to Yemen.

• The international community and donors to urgently mobilize additional resources to mitigate the impact of the suspension particularly through scale up of nutrition as well as health and cash assistance.

• Donors to provide funding for resilience building and development programming to enable communities to recover from the impact of the war and economic decline, while also ensuring those in need of humanitarian assistance are not left behind.

Humanitarian organizations in Yemen operate independently of any political or governmental agendas. Our sole focus is on delivering humanitarian aid to those in need.
We have played, and will continue to play a critical role in addressing the ongoing crisis, always prioritizing the needs of the communities we serve.

While these developments are deeply troubling, we recognize the challenges ahead and reaffirm our commitment to do everything within our capacity to mitigate these impacts and urge parties to reach a resolution so that much-needed food assistance can resume and we can work to meet the needs of Yemeni communities.

Signed by the following NGOs in Yemen:

Accept International Yemen
Acted
ADRA
CARE
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
Dorcas
Humanity & Inclusion - Handicap International
International Medical Corps (IMC)
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS
Islamic Relief
Mariestopes International Yemen (MSIY)
Médecins due Monde (MdM)
Muslim Hands
Norwegian Refugee Council
OXFAM
Qatar Charity
Relief International
Save the Children
Vision Hope International
ZOA

Niamey, Niger, December 11, 2023 — International NGOs in Niger are expressing deep disappointment in the lack of humanitarian exemptions made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the sanction’s regime in Niger. Humanitarian exemptions would alleviate the suffering of more than 4.3 million Nigeriens in urgent need of humanitarian aid, for whom the impacts are worsening by the day. The border between Benin and Niger remains closed to humanitarian aid and we call for its urgent reopening.

Following the heads of State and governments' meeting on December 10th, the 15-nation strong union made no allowance for calls expressed by the humanitarian community to ensure civilians of Niger have access to life-saving aid and the most vulnerable do not suffer further.

Mohammed Chikhaoui, Humanitarian representative for international NGOs in Niger, said:

“We are very concerned that our calls for humanitarian exemptions have fallen on deaf ears. It is an alarming message to the Nigerien people; pausing critical humanitarian activities while humanitarian needs are increasing. Populations must have full and unfettered access to assistance. The road with Benin is blocked for political reasons and the alternative routes via air or Burkina Faso currently used are too slow, too expensive and less effective. We must see a change now”.

“Over 2 million people were food insecure between October and December 2023, which has forced 15% of the population to move due to lack of access to food or assistance. Children suffer the worst; the 185.000 children under five suffering from moderate acute malnutrition no longer have access to treatment as it is no longer available, of whom 40,000 children are at risk of falling into the most severe and deadliest form of malnutrition.

“The decision by the ECOWAS Heads of State to maintain the sanctions without taking into account the crucial humanitarian imperatives has direct consequences for the people of Niger, such as the scarcity of cash and the difficulty of obtaining food supplies, and seriously hampers efforts to provide vital humanitarian assistance in Niger.

“It’s not just the border but also the financial and economic sanctions that are affecting our capacity to operate and the communities to receive services. The absence of a humanitarian exemption in the economic sanctions maintained by ECOWAS risks seriously compromising access to medical assistance, food and other essential needs for the most vulnerable populations of Niger.”

We renew our call to all parties to ensure that effective, uninterrupted access to much needed assistance reaches vulnerable persons. Legally binding humanitarian exemptions implemented by all are crucial for the provision of essential supplies, services, and economic resources necessary to carry out impartial humanitarian activities, as well as required to meet basic human needs. We are calling for the border between Benin and Niger to open to humanitarian assistance immediately.

Media contacts

Kim Winkler
International Rescue Committee
Kim.Winkler@rescue.org

IRC Global Communications
+1 646 761 0307
communications@rescue.org

Niamey, Niger, December 11, 2023 — Les ONG internationales du Niger expriment leur profonde déception face à l'absence d'exemptions humanitaires accordées par la Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEDEAO) au régime de sanctions prises contre le Niger. Des exemptions humanitaires atténueraient les souffrances de plus de 4,3 millions de Nigériens ayant un besoin urgent d’aide humanitaire, pour lesquels les conséquences s’aggravent de jour en jour. La frontière entre le Bénin et le Niger reste fermée à l'aide humanitaire et nous appelons à sa réouverture d'urgence.

À la suite de la réuniondu 10 Décembredes chefs d’État et de gouvernement, la CEDEAO n’a pas tenu compte des appels lancés par la communauté humanitaire pour garantir que les civils du Niger aient accès à une aide vitale et que les plus vulnérables ne souffrent pas davantage.

Mohammed Chikhaoui, représentant humanitaire des ONG internationales au Niger, a déclaré :

« Nous sommes très préoccupés par le fait que nos appels à des exemptions humanitaires soient tombés dans l’oreille d’un sourd. C'est un message alarmant pour le peuple nigérien : suspendre les activités humanitaires essentielles alors que les besoins humanitaires augmentent. Les populations doivent avoir un accès total et sans entrave à l'assistance. La route avec le Bénin est bloquée pour des raisons politiques et les routes alternatives aériennes ou burkinabè actuellement utilisées sont trop lentes, trop coûteuses et moins efficaces. Nous devons voir un changement maintenant.

« Plus de 2 millions de personnes ont été confrontées à l’insécurité alimentaire entre octobre et décembre 2023, ce qui a contraint 15 % de la population à déménager faute d’accès à la nourriture ou à l’assistance. Les enfants souffrent le plus ; les 185 000 enfants de moins de cinq ans souffrant de malnutrition aiguë modérée n’ont plus accès aux traitements car ils ne sont plus disponibles. 40 000 enfants risquent de tomber dans la forme de malnutrition la plus grave et la plus mortelle.

« La décision des chefs d’État de la CEDEAO de maintenir les sanctions sans tenir compte des impératifs humanitaires cruciaux a des conséquences directes pour la population nigérienne, comme la rareté des liquidités et la difficulté de s’approvisionner en nourriture, et entrave sérieusement les efforts d’apporter une aide humanitaire vitale au Niger.

« Ce n’est pas seulement la frontière, mais aussi les sanctions financières et économiques qui affectent notre capacité à fonctionner et les communautés à recevoir des services. L’absence d’exemption humanitaire dans les sanctions économiques maintenues par la CEDEAO risque de compromettre sérieusement l’accès à l’assistance médicale, à la nourriture et à d’autres besoins essentiels pour les populations les plus vulnérables du Niger. »

Nous renouvelons notre appel à toutes les parties pour garantir qu’un accès efficace et ininterrompu à une aide indispensable parvienne aux personnes vulnérables. Des exemptions humanitaires juridiquement contraignantes mises en œuvre par tous sont essentielles à la fourniture de biens, de services et de ressources économiques nécessaires à la réalisation d’activités humanitaires impartiales, ainsi qu’à la satisfaction des besoins humains fondamentaux. Nous demandons l’ouverture immédiate de la frontière entre le Bénin et le Niger à l’aide humanitaire.

Signataires :

Acted

ADRA

AIRD

COOPI

COSPE

CURE International

Helen Keller International

International Rescue Committee

Médecins du Monde

Norwegian Refugee Council

Oxfam

Plan International

PSI

Rain4Sahara

Save the Children

Solidarités International

Solthis

SOS-Villages d’enfants

Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

Media contacts

Kim Winkler
International Rescue Committee
Kim.Winkler@rescue.org

IRC Global Communications
+1 646 761 0307
communications@rescue.org

Please refer to the attached files.

KYIV, 24 February 2024 – Two years since the escalation of war in Ukraine, more than 10,500 civilians have been killed, including 587 children, as constant bombardments, mines, and drone attacks have left a generation traumatised, displaced and fearful for their lives, said 51 members of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine.

With an average of 42 civilians killed and wounded per day, and recent months being particularly deadly, the group, made up of local and international organisations working in the country, is calling for the immediate protection of civilians, and reminds member states of promises made to tackle dire humanitarian needs of people in Ukraine.

More than 87% of the people killed, or 9,241 people, are casualties of explosive weapons, with many of the injuries life-changing in nature, including the loss of limbs or eyesight. The number is understood to be a vast undercount, as the UN continues to corroborate the figures. At the same time, people across Ukraine far from the frontlines also need support to rebuild their lives and recover.

“My daughter is growing up in the basement now,” says Sviatlana. She and her 7-year-old daughter decided to stay in Kherson, an area that comes under heavy bombardment... “The longest time we had in the dark without electricity was 1.5 months, so now when there is a blackout I try to joke with my daughter, ‘what is one day, we already had way worse’. …Now there is only waiting and surviving. She is just a kid and wants to play outside on the playground, but she cannot leave the basement.”

Two years of renewed fighting has destroyed lives, homes and livelihoods, leaving 14.6 million people, including nearly 3 million children, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance across Ukraine. Nearly 80% of those in need of aid also require mental health support. The poverty level in Ukraine increased five-fold – 24 percent up from 5 percent – in 2022 alone.

Because of ongoing violence, about 4 million people are still displaced within Ukraine and more than 5.9 million were forced to flee to neighboring countries. Even though 67% of those internally displaced say they want to return home someday, many are unable to return to their homes as the war has shattered their communities, and livelihoods. Many displaced people struggle to integrate in their new communities, where it is difficult to find jobs and housing. Women make up 58% of the internally displaced, and are more likely than men to experience unemployment and dependency on humanitarian aid.

Vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by the ongoing war. Existing inequalities, including those facing children, Roma people, LGBTQIA+ people, older people and people with disabilities, are only increasing as the long-term, as compounding effects of the crisis drive specific needs.

Joanna Garbalinska, Director of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, said: “As the war continues, life is far from normal. Civilians are living day-to-day under the threat of missiles and shells, which continue to hit populated civilian areas, inflicting death and destruction to areas near and far from the frontlines.

“The Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine calls for all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure to cease immediately, particularly in dense urban areas, as they may amount to grave violations of international humanitarian law. Civilians must always be protected from violence.

Today marks a grim milestone of the war in Ukraine. As the fighting heads into its third year since the escalation, humanitarian agencies in Ukraine remind member states of promises made to tackle this crisis. Today, humanitarian support is more needed than ever. Long-term funding commitments for humanitarian and recovery efforts – with Ukrainian civil society in the lead – are critical for the safety of civilians and for Ukraine’s future.”

NGO Signatories

"БО ""МБФ ""Руки друзів""// Friends' Hands
ACTED
Action Against Hunger (ACF)
ActionAid
ГО "АЛЬЯНС.ГЛОБАЛ" // ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization
arche noVa
CARE
Caritas Ukraine
Caritas Zaporizhzhia
Corus International
CUAMM - Doctors with Africa
Danish Refugee Council
Estonian Refugee Council
ГРОМАДСЬКА ОРГАНІЗАЦІЯ “ЕДКЕМП УКРАЇНА” // Public Organization “EDCAMP UKRAINE”
FHI 360
Fida International Ukraine
Finn Church Aid
Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe
Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International (HI)
humedica e.V.
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS
La Chaîne de L’espoir
Lutheran World Federation
MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Medair
Médecins du Monde International Network
Medical Teams International
Mercy Corps
Nonviolent Peaceforce
Norwegian Refugee Council
Oxfam
People in Need
Plan International
Premiere Urgence Internationale
Right to Protection
Save the Children
Solidarités international
Stichting Vluchteling (The Netherlands Refugee Foundation)
Terre des Hommes
Паросток// Parostok
UK-Med Ukraine
Ukrainian Red Cross Society
Українська фундація громадського здоров‘я // Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health
Welthungerhilfe
World Vision International ZDOROVI
ГО "Дівчата”// NGO “Girls”
ГО «ГІ Допоможемо Разом» //NGO “Will Help Together”
Єдність чеснот//NGO “Unity of Virtue”

• END

Notes for editors:

The Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine (hereinafter the NGO Platform) is an independent coordination body with 78 Ukrainian and international NGO members who are operational and delivering humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. The NGO Platform is dedicated to serving and facilitating the work of its members to efficiently and effectively address the humanitarian needs of conflict affected people.

Key facts:

• As of 22 February 2024 (the latest data available), 30,457 civilians were killed and wounded, including 10,582 civilians killed in the conflict, including 587 children. A total of 9,241 people have been killed by explosive weapons with wide area effects, and mines and explosive remnants of war. Source: UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

• 14.6 million people, including more than 3 million children, are in need in Ukraine this year. 80% of those in need of aid also require mental health support. Approximately 4 million people are displaced within Ukraine. Women make up 58% of the internally displaced, and are more likely than men to experience unemployment and dependency on humanitarian aid. Source: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024

• Poverty level in Ukraine increased from 5.5% to 24% in 2022 alone. Source: World Bank

• 5.9 million Ukrainian people are refugees. Source: UNHCR

• 67% of internally displaced people say they want to return home one day. Source: UNHCR