Barran Press
The Executive Unit for the Displaced (governmental) reported on Sunday, September 8th, that the number of returnees to areas under the control of the internationally recognized government in Yemen has reached 410,770 families, equivalent to 2,199,600 individuals distributed across 1,433 areas.
This information was revealed in a comprehensive survey conducted by the unit, reviewed by "Barran Press," which examined the humanitarian situation of returnees in 12 Yemeni governorates. The study detailed the realities of returnees in their homes and areas of return, including their numbers, locations, and needs across various humanitarian sectors.
According to the Executive Unit for the Displaced, a government institution under the Prime Minister's Office responsible for managing, protecting, and assisting displaced and returning individuals, Aden Governorate ranked first in terms of the number of returnees. It houses 755,036 returnees, representing 34.33% of the total returnees in other governorates and 49% of the total returnees in the regions. The number of vulnerable returnees reached 271,197.
The study, titled "Returnees in Yemen," focused on humanitarian needs in various sectors, relying on surveys that confirmed a total of 40,163 completely destroyed houses, representing 6.42% of the total 625,538 houses.
The survey results revealed that 93,011 houses were partially destroyed, representing 14.87% of the total number of houses, which is 625,538.
Needs identified in the study included "furniture and shelter materials," affecting 434 areas, representing 30.29% of the total. The need for renovation and construction reached 760 houses, representing 53.04%. The report stated that "the greatest need for renovation was in Taiz Governorate, with 317 houses, followed by Shabwah Governorate with 109 houses." The need for other shelter materials reached 239, representing 16.68%. The report highlighted that 1,433 areas require furniture, shelter materials, and house renovation.
Regarding the water and sanitation sector, the study revealed that 43.34% of the areas where returnees reside lack water projects, and 1,122 areas lack public sewage networks, distributed across 73 districts and 12 governorates.
The report stated that 1,091 areas where returnees reside have haphazard sewage disposal through unplanned septic tanks, and 51.22% of the sewage networks in 73 districts and 1,433 areas are out of service due to lack of maintenance.
The study further indicated that 236 water projects are non-functional across 73 districts and 12 governorates included in the survey. Additionally, 17% of the areas where returnees reside, distributed across 73 districts and 12 governorates, require the construction of a comprehensive water network, while 18% require the maintenance of water networks and pumps.
Regarding the health and nutrition sector, the survey report stated that 835 areas, representing 58%, are in dire need of health facilities. The study revealed the number of health facilities that have ceased operations, indicating that 28% of health facilities in return areas lack support, while 26% are destroyed due to the war.
The report clarified that 24% of health facilities in return areas lack medical staff, 9% are incomplete, 16% require partial maintenance and renovation, 67% need medical supplies, 16% require complete rehabilitation, and 40% require ambulances.
The Executive Unit for the Displaced mentioned that 56% of health facilities in return areas require salary support for medical staff, while 12% require completion of construction.
Concerning food security, the report indicated that 285,388 returning families, representing 45% of the total number of returning families, lack a stable source of income, while 86,874 families cannot engage in their previous work (before displacement).
The report highlighted that 41,648 returning families need land reclamation for agricultural purposes. Data analysis revealed that 91,307 returning families rely on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood, while 112,908 families rely on daily wages as a secondary source of income.
Regarding the education sector, the survey report revealed that 1,724 schools exist in the return areas covered by the survey, distributed across 73 districts. However, 28.12% of the return areas lack schools.
The report stated that 103,194 students are not enrolled in education, distributed across 1,433 areas, 73 districts, and 12 governorates. The number of children of school age reached 513,857, distributed across 1,433 areas, 73 districts, and 12 governorates.
The report clarified that 135 schools in return areas are not operational due to a lack of teaching staff, while 364 schools require complete rehabilitation. Additionally, 1,214 schools, representing 69.89%, need support with teaching staff.
The report revealed that 48% of higher education facilities are not performing their duties to the required level due to a lack of teaching staff, 14.49% of higher education buildings in return areas require completion of construction, 35.27% need educational supplies, and 33.82% need teaching staff.
In the protection sector, the study revealed that 22,512 families have lost their documents, distributed across 1,433 areas, 73 districts, and 12 governorates. Additionally, 315,248 families need legal support, distributed across 1,433 areas, 73 districts, and 12 governorates, while 76,231 families need legal consultations, distributed across the same areas.
The report stated that 15 out of 73 districts require police stations to be rehabilitated so they can perform their duties effectively.
The study attributed the cessation of police station duties to the war (40%) and weak capabilities (60%). It indicated that 36 districts, representing 49%, have courts that are not fulfilling their roles, while 37 districts, representing 51%, have functional courts.
The report stated that the cessation of court operations was a result of war conditions, while 41% of the reasons were due to the destruction of court buildings. It highlighted that 79.83% of the areas covered by the survey are free of mines, while 20.17% have mines. Additionally, 25 districts, representing 34% of the total 73 districts included in the survey, lack a civil registry office, while 48 districts, representing 66%, have a civil registry office.
The study recommended working towards permanent solutions by adopting sustainable projects and working through government institutions providing services. It also recommended adopting an exit strategy for all projects implemented by organizations. Further, it emphasized the importance of strengthening community peace and reducing tensions between host and guest communities.
The study stressed the need for joint efforts between state institutions and the humanitarian work team, highlighting that this is the only way to address the humanitarian crisis, alleviate its impact, and involve returnees in planning for their future. It also recommended establishing a mechanism to provide needs in all humanitarian sectors.