650 families displaced in Yemen conflict

United Nations, Aug 16: About 650 families, or 4,550 people, have been displaced by the conflict in northern Yemen, a UN spokesperson said.

"The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that its humanitarian partners confirm that 650 families, or 4,550 people, have been displaced in northern Yemen after conflict arose in the Al Jawf Governorate Aug 10," Xinhua quoted deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq as saying Friday.

Haq said local sources said 7,000-14,000 people have been displaced, but these claims could not be verified.

According to the spokesperson, displaced people, reportedly staying with relatives or host communities in neighbouring areas, are in need of food, water, healthcare, and other basic living items.

"The humanitarian presence is extremely limited in Al Jawf due to persistent insecurity," Haq said. "Plans are underway to provide money through the Emergency Response Fund and partners are working to better assess needs."

According to reports, clashes between Houthis and armed tribesmen renewed in Al-Ghail district of Al-Jawf governorate Tuesday, causing people to flee into peaceful areas of Al-Jawf or the neighbouring Marib governorate.

IANS