Highlights:
 The first phase of a nationwide measles campaign integrated with polio and vitamin A was
completed, reaching over 94% of the targeted 1.8 million children in seven priority
governorates (preliminary figures). Measles cases continued to be reported, bringing the
total number of cases to 4,185 with 177 deaths by end of March.
 The Taiz Nutrition Survey was concluded. Among its key findings was a rate of global
acute malnutrition (GAM) of 15.1% in the governorate‟s coastal plains zone, and a rate of
9.4% in the mountainous zone – „very high‟ and „medium‟ rates as per WHO classification.
 At least 3 children (2 boys, 1 girl) were killed and 12 children (11 boys, 1 girl) were
reportedly injured in Aden, Abyan, Hajjah and Sana‟a governorates, including in four
mine/UXO incidents.
 A rapid assessment in the conflict-affected areas of Bani Garmous and Nihum in Sana‟a
governorate conducted by UNICEF partner CSSW found that 1080 families (5400 people,
2,862 children) had been displaced and were in need of humanitarian support. 2


Inter-Agency Collaboration, Coordination, Cluster Leadership and Key Partnerships

Nutrition cluster
 The Nutrition Cluster in cooperation with the Hodeidah governorate health office facilitated a multi-sectoral
workshop for advocacy and development of micro-response plan. Nine organizations were mobilized to
develop response proposals for the Hodeidah nutrition crisis (VHI, CSSW, and Abu Mosa, Save the Children,
MERLIN, IRD, IRY, YWU, and SOUL).
 The Cluster finalized the district geographic and programmatic prioritization for Hodeidah and Taiz for more
effective response.
 The Cluster conducted orientation meetings for partners on the principles of partnerships, the process and
guidelines for partnership developments between organizations, and fundraising through the ERF.
 The Sa‟ada Nutrition sub-cluster resumed its functions; the sub-clusters in Aden, Hodeidah and Haradh
continue to be active.
 The Cluster finalized a database for the micro- multi-sectoral response plan. Data has been received from 80%
of targeted agencies in the four main sectors (Nutrition, Health, WASH, and Food Security) and will be used for
presentation to government officials and for fundraising purposes and advocacy.

WASH cluster
 Three technical working groups were formed in Sana’a on Community mobilisation, Hygiene promotion and
Needs assessments, respectively. A TWG in Aden has also been formed to lead the implementation in Abyan.
 Four ERF proposals were reviewed and funded. Almost 60% (USD 1.56 mill.) of the ERF disbursed this year is
for WASH cluster partners, highlighting both increasing needs and reduced funding from traditional donors.
 Planning maps for the WASH affected/needy/targeted population were produced by OCHA in coordination with
the WASH cluster. Existing surveys and assessments have helped reduce gaps and as a result the WASH
cluster partners are reviewing the numbers of affected and needy populations.
 The WASH cluster took the lead in carrying out a needs assessment in the six southern governorates. A total
of 352 sites in 44 districts were assessed covering 919,449 people. More than 3 million people were found in
need of immediate access to safe water and proper hygiene conditions. Initial estimated required support to
meet needs is of US$ 10 million, of which US$ 3.9 million have thus far been secured. The WASH cluster
partners continue to actively fundraise. The assessment report was circulated to stakeholders and the data will
be used to update the response plan and WASH cluster strategy. A similar assessment in the four
governorates in the north is planned.
 A national training on “Cluster coordination approach and Sphere standard” was conducted successfully, with
33 participants from 18 government organisations, clusters, INGOs and LNGOs.

Child Protection Sub-Cluster
 Two meetings were held by the Child Protection sub-Cluster (CPSC). Members discussed the Child Protection
Strategic Framework for 2012 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan and focused on development of plans to
cover needs and gaps. The members also discussed contingency planning. In addition, UNICEF shared the
standard reporting format on child protection issues, and presented preliminary findings from a rapid
assessment of affected children in schools in rural areas of Sana’a. Coordinated by CPSC and the Education
Cluster, this assessment covered 155 schools in Arhab, Hamadan, Nehem, Al-Hayma, Al-Dhakhilia, Al-Haima,
Al-Khalrigia, Bani Hushaish, Sanahan and Bani Matar districts. A report will be finalized by end of April.


UNICEF Response

Health
 Measles cases are still being reported, with the latest figures indicating a total of 4,185 cases and 177 deaths
by end of March.
 UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Population and WHO completed Phase One of a
national-wide measles campaigns with integrated polio and vitamin A, targeting 1.8 million children (6 months
up to 10 years) in seven priority governorates. A preliminary coverage rate of 94%, 92% and 87% for measles,
polio and vitamin A, respectively has been reported.
 A second phase for the remaining 14 governorates commenced on 31 March and targets 6.3 million children
(aged 6 months - 10 years).UNICEF Yemen ensured all needed vaccines and injection devices were procured
and shipped into the country ahead of the campaign. 3


Nutrition
 The Taiz SMART Nutrition Survey was concluded. The survey found a rate of global acute malnutrition (GAM)
of 15.1% in the governorate‟s coastal plains zone, and a rate of 9.4% in the mountainous zone – „very high‟
and „medium‟ rates as per WHO classification. Levels of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute
malnutrition (MAM) were 3.1% and 12% in the coastal plain zone and 1% and 8.4% in the mountainous zone.
 Hajjah governorate: The UNICEF-supported integrated Health, Nutrition and WASH project in Bakil Almeer
and Mustaba districts continues in Relieve International mobile clinics and OTPs. SAM and MAM figures for
March are still being compiled and will be reported in April Sit Rep. Three OTPs previously not functioning due
to militia occupation in Bakil Almeer were activated and health staff returned. UNICEF supported with 60
cartons of Plumpy Nut and different medications were distributed.
 Sa’ada governorate: 70 basic health kits and 7 supplementary health kits for a target beneficiary population of
70,000 for 3 months were delivered for use at 38 OTPs and 8 fixed health facilities supported by UNICEF. Also
in Sa‟ada, the Nutrition working group resumed activity after pro-active follow up and discussion with all
partners.
 About 60 Young Child Feeding (IYCF) corners at health facilities in Aden and Lahj governorates started
providing counselling services promoting exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate IYCF practices.
 UNICEF disbursed funds to capacitate 296 female volunteers in 8 districts to detect and refer children with
malnutrition, 234 health workers from 19 districts on management of wasting at OTPs, and two orientations/
raising awareness sessions for 60 community leaders from 16 districts on mal/nutrition in Hodeidah.
 UNICEF facilitated training of 37 nutrition outreach volunteers from IRD on screening of malnutrition among U5
children. These volunteers will provide community-level screening services to Somali refugees in Sana’a.


WASH
 Hajjah: UNICEF continued to provide daily water supply to 33,237 IDPs in camps 1 and 3 and settlement 2 in
Haradh, and vulnerable host communities, and supported adequate sanitation for 24,770 IDPs in and outside
camps. 6,509 Haradh school children received school hygiene kits in eight schools and two camps. In Hairan
district, 270 IDP families (1,890 people) received hygiene kits and water filters. 60 new IDP families (420
people) in Khairan, Al-Maharag district received hygiene kits. Water trucking for Kushar IDPs is on-going in Al-
Khamisein, covering 807 families (5,649 people) and in Al-Madap, Qaim Al-Saif and Al-Gufl areas (Haradh)
serving another 157 families (1,099 people). 102 emergency latrines have been constructed for new IDPs in
Al-Khamisein and Hairan.
 Amran and Sana’a governorates: In Amran and Arhab districts 1,463 IDP families (9,792 people, 5190
children) have access to safe drinking water and hygiene promotion.
 Sa’ada town: the construction works in 10 schools have reached 77% of progress serving 8,529 school
children (4,080 boys and 4,449 girls) and 366 teachers (231 male and 135 females).
 Sana’a governorate: A rapid assessment in the conflict-affected areas of Bani Garmous and Nihum conducted
by UNICEF partner CSSW found that 1080 families (5400 people, 2,862 children) had been displaced and not
yet reached with humanitarian support. UNICEF is preparing a response plan with CSSW.
 Aden: The construction of water and sanitation facilities in 12 alternative school buildings was completed,
serving over 4,500 school children. Hygiene promotion and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities in 30
schools continued, serving over 1,372 IDP families. A total of 450 new IDP families (3,150 individuals) arrived,
hosted in 77 schools.

Child Protection
 At least 3 children (2 boys, 1 girl) were killed and 12 children (11 boys, 1 girl) were reportedly injured in Aden,
Abyan, Hajjah and Sana‟a governorates, including in four mine/UXO incidents in Sana‟a, Abyan and Hajjah.
 As part of the partnership between UNICEF and Intersos, a Child Protection Center provided protection and
interim care to 50 unaccompanied children.
 A total of 97 NGO staff (M:34, F: 63) in Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwah governorates were trained in mine
risk education in workshops organized by the Yemen Executive Mine Action Center, with UNICEF support. The
trainees developed work plans to conduct mine risk education for IDPs and war-affected populations.
 A total of 24,447 IDP and affected children (12,842 M, 11,605 F) were provided with psychosocial support
through recreational, sports and education activities in partnership with MOSAL in Hajjah, Sa‟ada and Amran
and with Intersos and Shawthab in Aden and Al-Amanah (Sana‟a). This took place in 24 school-based and 26
community-/home-based child-friendly spaces.
 A total of 5,271 children (3,010 boys, 2261 girls) and 2,964 parents and community members (M: 1,624, F:
1,340) were taught on child protection in emergencies. 2,100 children (1,320 boys, 780 girls) and 2,800 4


community people (M: 1,484, F: 1,316) received awareness on mine risk education in and outside of IDP
camps in Haradh.
 296 children (67 boys, 229 girls) in Haradh, Aden and Al-Amanah were provided with information and skills on
child protection in emergencies, and are able to disseminate messages to their peers.
 As part of the child protection response for affected children in the affected schools of Al-Amanah, Child
Protection Initiative conducted three advocacy sessions on child protection in emergencies for 91 imams, local
councils, police, health workers and NGOs from Al-Thawra, Tahreer and Sha‟oob districts.
 UNICEF participated in the special session of the Child Parliament, which met for the first time since it was
disrupted by civil unrest in 2011. The UNICEF Representative was invited especially for the Child
Parliamentarians to learn about UNICEF‟s role in protecting children from armed conflicts and ensuring that the
government of Yemen meets its commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and its optional
protocols. The fifty or so child parliamentarians were all highly affected by the country‟s civil unrest and conflict,
which inspired heated discussions between UNICEF and the children.
 Gaps and Constraints: An increasing number of unaccompanied children from the Horn of Africa and a long
process to ensure their voluntary return add to the burden of the Child Protection Center, whose capacity is
limited to 50 children; The rising number of mine and UXOs incidents requires urgent response. UNICEF and
Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre have prepared a master plan for the south on MRE activities, and
implementation has begun. A plan for the north is underway; There is a need to overcome cultural sensitivity
preventing female participation in new focus geographic areas of interventions, such as in Kushar district in
Hajjah. This affects the availability of female trainers and girls taking part in psycho-social and protection
activities.

Education
 UNICEF distributed ECD furniture including 5000 chairs and 1000 tables to child-friendly schools in 13 districts
in Taiz, Lahj, Aden, Hodeidah, Dhale, Ibb, Sana‟a, and Mukalla. In addition 35,800 children received student
kits in nine districts in the governorates of Taiz, Lahj, Hodeidah, and Ibb.
 Hajjah: UNICEF advocacy succeeded in vacating five schools that were occupied by IDPs in the Al-Khamisein
area, thus allowing 1,664 IDPs and host community children to resume education. Affected IDP and host
community children continue to be supported through the provision of alternative learning spaces (tents) and
through mobilizing volunteers (64) to teach IDP children (377). In addition, 1500 school bags have been
distributed to IDPs and host children. Exercise books for the 2nd half of the school year were ensured in the
main IDP schools in Haradh.
 Aden: In Alshaikh Uthman District, four tents were erected for IDP students at Omar Bin Alkhatab School. At
Althary School in Alburaiqah District there are 1218 students (638 boys, 580 girls) studying in the 11 tents
erected by UNICEF.