Invisible Civilians

Yemen Map

I. Summary

II. Methodology

III. Background

One war, five rounds

The Huthis

Tribes supporting the government

Causes of the conflict

The war in northern Yemen: a non-international armed conflict

IV. The Information Blackout

V. Fighting and Civilian Losses in Mid-2008

VI. Displacement During 2008

Displacement during the fifth round of fighting (May 10 to July 17, 2008)

Displacement into Sada town

Displacement outside Sada town

Ongoing displacement

VII. Lack of Humanitarian Access

Humanitarian law relating to access

Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement relating to access

Lack of humanitarian access between the fourth and fifthrounds of fighting (June 18, 2007 to May 10, 2008)

Lack of humanitarian access during the fifth round of fighting (May 10, 2008 to July 17, 2008)

Closure of the SanaSada road: blocking necessities to civilians

Access to health care

Humanitarian access since the end of fighting

Attacks on humanitarian agencies

VIII. The United Nations and International Donors

The United Nations

International Donors

IX. Recommendations

To the government of Yemen

To the Huthis

To the United Nations

To International Donors, including the European Union and its Member States, the Arab League and its Member States, and the United States

XII. Acknowledgments