Humanitarian Update
Oxfam is scaling up its operations in Taiz governorate, Yemen, to meet the increasing humanitarian needs in communities affected by the escalating fighting in and around Taiz city. The UN’s Emergency Response Coordinator Stephen O’Brien described Taiz city as a ‘city under virtual siege’, with food, medical supplies, and fuel blocked from entering it, and humanitarian agencies denied access to the besieged population.
Oxfam has been working in Taiz since August, and is committed to continue its life‐saving programmes there. Now, with the support of local partners the organization is increasing its activities in Taiz city.
As part of Oxfam’s scale‐up plan, the number of people receiving clean water delivered by trucks will double and increase up to 62,000, in the besieged districts of Al Madafer, Al Qahira, and elsewhere in Al Hawban, Salah and Maouiah districts in Taiz city. Oxfam will also rehabilitate the damaged water infrastructure in these areas.
Oxfam will buy and supply generators, water tanks, pipes, and other equipment needed to operate community water points managed by the Taiz local water authority. These planned activities will ensure that over 200,000 people that are currently trapped by fighting, can at least get clean water at regular intervals.
Soon, Oxfam will also begin distributing food vouchers to 21,000 people in Al Turba city, Taiz governorate, so they can buy food and the essentials they need, amidst soaring prices caused by a shortages of supplies in markets. Oxfam will provide fuel to the city's local water authority for three months to maintain water supply to 18,000 people.