In the north of Yemen, what is being referred to as a "sixth war" between the army and the Al Houthi rebels began on August 11th. Once again the population is subjected to violence and deprived of healthcare. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is providing medical care to the wounded and assisting the displaced, as far as security conditions allow.
Following clashes in recent weeks, the conflict between the Yemeni army and Al Houthi rebels has escalated to involve the use of heavy arms and aerial bombardments. This "sixth war" is the latest confrontation between government troops and the Al Houthi rebel movement. This conflict has held Northern Yemen in the grip of violence since 2004.
Thousands have fled the fighting and have been displaced to northern Saada, in north-west Yemen, as well as the nearby governorates of Hajja, Amran, and Al-Jawf. MSF has evaluated the needs in the villages of Baqim and Yesnem, in northern Saada, and is now organising medical aid for the 30,000 or so people who have sought refuge there.
The fighting does not spare the health facilities and poses a security threat for patients and staff alike. MSF maintains contact with both parties in the conflict to insist on the need for patients to be able to access healthcare and to assure the safety of personnel.
In spite of the delicate security situation, the MSF medical teams continue to work alongside the Yemeni Ministry of Health in two rural hospitals in Razeh and Al-Talh. Since August 11th, some 63 people - including 36 war-wounded - have been admitted for emergency medical care in the latter facility. Of these, 33 needed surgery.
The difficulties of travelling the main roads - especially for the injured - hinder access to health facilities. In addition, MSF has had to temporarily suspend mobile assistance which was initiated in July.
The unstable transport of medical supplies is a growing concern that may cause stock interruptions in outlying health centres. Upon request from both parties at war, MSF has donated 10 medical kits to local health centres containing medical and surgical equipment.
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Between January and July 2009, MSF teams have performed 30,000 consultations in Saada, including 8,000 emergency interventions and 1,450 hospitalizations. About 720 acts of surgery have also been carried out—some 100 of them were related to war injuries. MSF has been working in the governorate since September 2007 and currently operates two projects in the Razeh and Al Tahl hospitals as well as providing primary care in several outlying towns.