Al-Mazrak camp, thousands displaced people waiting assistances

By: Abdul-Malik al-Thib

Translated by: Mahmoud Assamiee

AL-MAZRAK, Nov. 22 (Saba)- They left their homes and funds in Sa'ada governorate fleeing the death brought by Houghis every day to find themselves in Al- Mazrak camp in Haradh district, governorate of Hajjah.

They live in hard times have stolen lives of their families whether by disease or hunger. Even though, they are still pouring to al-Mazrak daily from different parts of Sa'ada or even from al-Khouba area, Saudi Arabia.

Samira Abdu, a displaced woman has come from Ma'ala quarter, Sa'ada city, told Al-Sysiah that two children from her family died in al-Mazrak camp eight days after their arrival to the camp because of " hunger and malaria" accusing the camp's management of not doing well " because they do not provide them with tents, mattresses and blankets".

She further said she sleeps with her husband and their seven children in the open while some other displaced families provide them with food.

Last week, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Sigrid Kaag stated that mortality among children in al-Mazrak camp has been registered. "Malnutrition has recorded bothersome levels, it is chronic problem in Yemen," she said, adding "more than 600 children in the camp are being treated from extreme malnutrition."

Fashe' Ali, a displaced from Haidan area, suffers from knuckles pain saying that healthcare in the camp" is absent".

He further said the tent he lives in is not enough for all his family members composing of 11. He demanded the camp's management to provide "mattresses and blankets."

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees said the camp's capacity is 10,000 displaced.

For his part, Hussein, a displaced from Haidan area, says he feels embarrassed that he has been living with his family's members of 23 with another displaced family for more than two months in one tent enough only for six persons.

Newcomers' register in the camp Mohammad Jazilan thinks that Saudi displaced from al-Khawba area has added great pressure on the camp "makes it difficult to solve quickly".

According to Minister of Public Health and Population Abdul-Karim Rase'a, the number of refugees in the camp has increased during the past week to 38 displaced people; most of them are women and children.

Currently, al-Mazrak camp receives approximately 900 displaced, according to UNICEF's estimations.

Over repairing deteriorated conditions in the camp and government's efforts to help displaced people there, UAE Red Crescent Association announced that it will provide the government this week a complete camp to displaced people.

The camp, which will be located near al-Mazrak camp, will include 1000 tents for 7500 people with the cost of YR 20 million, said Head of the EAU association's delegation Saleh al-Jaberi.

He made it clear that the association will supply the camp with electricity and a central kitchen to provide daily meals.

Worth noting that the war launched by the army against Houthis have led to displacing more than 1000 people, according to government sources, but UNHCR talks about displacing 175,000 people.