KEY DEVELOPMENTS
· On December 14, the U.N. released the 2013 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP), requesting $716 million for humanitarian interventions in Yemen. The 2013 YHRP reflects growing humanitarian needs, enhanced capacity of the humanitarian community, improved access in certain areas, and increased focus on Yemen’s transition toward early recovery and development.
· During the last months of 2012, people displaced by fighting in southern Yemen returned home faster and in greater numbers than expected. More than 105,000 people were registered as returnees in Abyan and other southern governorates as of late November, compared to 21,000 returnees at the end of September, according to the U.N.
· USAID/OFDA committed $7 million in January to address agriculture and food security, health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs in Yemen. This assistance builds upon the nearly $120 million in U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian assistance provided to Yemen in FY 2012.