SITREP: YEMEN'S MOST VULNERABLE REFUGEES IN BASATEEN AND

UNCLAS SANAA 002116 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP Andrew MacDonald AND PRM Janet Deutsch AMMAN FOR REFCOORD Rusty Ingraham ADDIS ABABA FOR REFCOORD Inga Heemink E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL PGOV UNHCR YM SUBJECT: SITREP: YEMEN'S MOST VULNERABLE REFUGEES IN BASATEEN AND KHARAZ REF: A) SANAA 1633, B) SANAA 597 ¶1. (U) Summary: Although still a minority segment of Yemen's vast and growing refugee population, the 15,000 residents of the UNHCR-run refugee camp in Kharaz and the 40,000 plus residents of the urban slum of Basateen are among the most vulnerable. During a November 16 - 18 visit to these areas, CONOFF noted diminished levels of violence and conflict, and improvements in water distribution. Nonetheless, significant health and social problems remain. UNHCR and NGOs in the area struggle to provide for a rapidly and increasingly transient population in spite of dwindling funding and an often distracted international community. End Summary. Refugee Travel Routes and Demographics -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The majority of this year's arrivals have been Ethiopians - a marked shift considering 95 percent of Yemen's estimated 600,000 refugees are Somali. Moreover, NGO workers in Kharaz and Basateen noted increasing numbers of unaccompanied females and minors to the camps. Because these cases are more vulnerable, they require increased resources from aid workers (REF A). ¶3. (SBU) The vast majority of refugees arriving in Yemen depart from Bossaso, Somalia and Obock, Djibouti. Whether crossing the Red Sea from Obock or the Gulf of Aden from Bossaso, both ports represent a mid-way point in larger smuggling routes from Mogadishu and various parts of Ethiopia. These routes continue north to the Saudi border as most arrivals are seeking work in the wealthier Gulf States or transit to Europe. Those without sufficient funds or connections to complete the voyage often end up stuck in Yemen. While many migrants are seeking refuge in Yemen, a recent UNHCR-IOM study indicates that the vast majority have (or had) the intention to leave the country. Kharaz and Basateen: Transitory Areas for Yemen's Most Vulnerable Refugees -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) With approximately 56,000 people, the Basateen neighborhood (40,000) in Aden governorate and Kharaz camp (15,000) in Lahj governorate are home to no more than 10 percent of Yemen's refugee population. However, the residents of these areas are among the most vulnerable refugees in Yemen. Those who choose to come to these areas often lack the connections that allow others to settle in urban centers of Ta'iz, Sana'a and Aden. Basateen and Kharaz therefore are transition points for most. NGOs provide social, medical, legal and educational services that assist refugees in getting on their feet and adjusted to life in Yemen. New arrivals often are escaping extreme trauma, and are wholly unfit to cope with a new language, culture and environment. These areas provide the necessary services to acclimate them. Who's Who in Refugee Assistance -------------- ¶5. (U) Below is a brief overview of the main services of the various implementing partners of UNHCR in Kharaz and Basateen. - Danish Refugee Council (DRC): provides registration services. - Save the Children: implements educational programming. - The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA): builds community and offers social services. - Christian Action Research and Education (CARE): organizes vocational training, conflict-resolution programs, and housing. - World Food Program (WFP): feeds refugees. - Organizzazione Umanitaria per L'Emergenza (INTERSOS): protects refugees through counseling services, vocational training, and providing shelter. - Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW): provides medical care. - Society for Humanitarian Solidarity (SHS): transports and equips new arrivals from the welcome centers in Mayfa and Ahwar. Basateen: Despite Improvements, Still a Slum -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Located only six miles from downtown Aden, Basateen hosts a population that is almost exclusively Somali. Lacking any of the traditional Yemeni architecture, most residents live in small tin huts on a dusty plain. Since the Embassy's last visit (REF B),there have been significant improvements in water distribution and registration, and reduction in levels of violence. Concerns still remain, however, regarding education and healthcare. ¶7. (SBU) Residents, NGO workers, and UNHCR agree that water distribution in Basateen has improved with more regular deliveries. The neighborhood still lacks its own water supply and depends on UNHCR. Social programming from various NGOs and increasing cooperation from the local police appear to have curbed sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV),according to UNHCR. Yet according to several NGO workers, the neighborhood is still "not safe at night," especially for women. One American female worker at ADRA now fears walking around in daylight without a full face covering (niqab) due to several incidents of harassment and stone-throwing. ¶8. (U) The new ROYG-operated registration center in Basateen opened in July and remains bustling with new arrivals. The center is open five days a week and processes up to 150 new arrivals each day. Upon registration, refugees are granted official documentation and their identities are recorded. The ROYG then issues them official identification cards and advises them of their rights in Yemen. Counselors from Danish Relief Council and interpreters are on hand to help with the interviews and identify the more vulnerable cases involving abuse, trauma, unaccompanied minors or people with disabilities. Since July, approximately 6,100 refugees have registered in Basateen. Note: While this is a small number in terms of percentage, the center remains extremely busy and these numbers will likely rise. End Note. ¶9. (SBU) Access to quality health care and education now ranks among the primary concerns facing residents of Basateen. According to one doctor, malnutrition and water-borne diseases are the most common problems. While UNHCR provides free medicine, medical officials lament the constant lack of anything other than the basic medicines. Some residents are so desperate for treatment and food that a black market has developed for pregnant women's urine, which allows buyers access to free pre-natal care. (Note: Doctors are now trying to curb this practice through the use of sonogram testing. End Note.) In terms of education, the primary school in Basateen is extremely overcrowded with classes nearing one hundred students. The principal also noted a lack of qualified teachers. Education is especially important among refugees in order to promote their understanding of social issues. (Note: As many Somalis have come from a severely socially disruptive setting, they often lack a basic understanding of how to cope with day-to-day problems. End Note.) Kharaz: Violence Down, Cooperation on the Rise -------------- - ¶10. (SBU) In a one-day visit to the UNHCR-operated Kharaz refugee camp, CONOFF noted significant improvements in cooperation with local villages, access to water, and cooperation with police, and diminished levels of violence. While major social issues remain to be addressed, the various programs in the camp appear to be having a positive impact. Embassy officials were also duly impressed with the general cleanliness of the camp. ¶11. (SBU) As a result of perceived inequity over access to water and other services, Embassy officials had previously noted rising tensions and sporadic violence between the Kharaz residents and surrounding villagers (REF B). Since then, two new wells have been built that provide adequate water to the camp and surrounding villages. NGOs have also increased programs in conflict mitigation to include the local villagers as well as to allow them access to health care facilities. All of these efforts have calmed many of the tensions between the communities. However, the villages surrounding Kharaz remain severely isolated and lack basic government services. To gain government attention, they have frequently resolved to carjacking UN or NGO vehicles. Four of these incidents occurred in the last year. Increasingly, the adjacent villages are less inclined to resort to such violence, but the threat remains from more distant villages that have not had the same access to the camp's resources. Overall, however, the situation remains vastly improved. ¶12. (SBU) According to UNHCR camp director, Cleofas Mabenge, relations with the local police force have also improved. He notes a reduction in incidents of bribery and arbitrary arrests, as well as increased prosecution of crimes. Several workers in the camp also mentioned a significant decline in SGBV. ¶13. (SBU) Health-care workers in the camp note that the most common ailments facing residents are gastrointestinal and respiratory in nature. Despite widespread myths to the contrary among the Yemeni populace, disease rates in the camp are the same or lower than comparable rates in the rest of Yemen. The medical facilities, however, only possess oral contraceptives and no condoms. CONOFF noted a disturbing rise in documented, sexually-transmitted diseases on one hospital poster. ¶14. (SBU) Like many refugee camps, Kharaz residents suffer from the tedium of life on the margins of society. Major social woes include lack of marriage and divorce services for the increasing number of abandoned women, and the lack of job opportunities. While vocational programs appear to have had moderate success in the camp, Kharaz is an extremely isolated location and minimal opportunities exist within. However, UNHCR communicated increasing difficulty in convincing young males in particular to stay in the camp to develop vocational or social skills. Comment -------------- ¶15. (SBU) The Kharaz camp demonstrated remarkable improvements in many areas. CONOFF also noted exceptional cleanliness in the mess hall and toilets. Of the approximately 15,000 residents, only about 3,000 are living in tents; most have hardened structures and more are being built every day. While significant social challenges remain, it appears that Kharaz has made significant progress in preparing refugees for life outside the camp. However, with rapidly increasing numbers of migrants, increased funding will be necessary to continue these programs. ¶16. (SBU) Kharaz and Basateen are the primary transition areas for Yemen's most vulnerable refugees. While their numbers remain relatively small, their populations are in constant flux. It is therefore difficult to estimate the number of people who receive services in these areas. However, as the general security situation in Yemen has deteriorated to make monitoring and evaluation difficult, many programs have shifted to the urban areas where the majority of refugees reside. While these programs are certainly important, more aid will be needed to help the newest and most vulnerable arrivals. End Comment. SECHE