United Nations Radio

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR has received permission from Saudi Arabia to send humanitarian aid through its border to people trapped by fighting between government and rebel forces in northern Yemen.

crowd of people in Sana'a, Yemen

UNHCR says it will begin its cross-border operation next week if the security situation allows, with its first convoy transporting tents, blankets and mattresses for 2,000 people.

The agency says that further assistance will be dispatched according to the needs and numbers of internally displaced people.

The Saudi government has agreed to give the UN refugee agency $1 million for a new aid route to be opened up to reach trapped internally displaced people who fled fighting in the Saada governorate.

A UNICEF official says that one of its officials and three UNHCR officials have been dispatched to the border to assess needs and the security situation.

UNICEF says that it has locally stocked supplies, including blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, diapers and water filters for between 20 to 25,000 people, but insecurity has restricted its access to the displaced people.

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio
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