For the lowly ‘farmers and herders fleeing the war between the Yemeni army and Houthi Shia rebels that broke out last month in the country’s mountainous north,’ the noise of heavy artillery, mortar attacks, and aerial bombardment have become familiar sounds. These people have become refugees, temporarily sheltered far away from their villages and in camps for internally-displaced people.

Life is not only destitute in these camps, it is also perilous. ‘On September 16, over 80 people were killed during an air raid on a settlement for displaced civilians in Amran province a few hundred kilometres away.’

The army has launched the all-too familiar “scorched earth policy” ‘offensive against Shia rebels fighting for greater autonomy in Yemen’s northernmost Saada province.’ In some places in Africa and Asia, scorched earth operations were launched and have proven to be effective for its perpetrators, in the name of ethnic cleansing.

The aftermath of such an offensive has been tremendously debilitating for poor Yemenis whose livelihood comes from agricultural lands. Poverty and widespread hunger are more than prevalent. Children are severely malnourished. The situation has become a grave humanitarian catastrophe. Refugees are trapped in the fighting. Some are living under bridges and trees. The luckier ones find themselves in tents steeped in squalor and degradation.

Practically all have no access to aid. For most, there is no food or water. ‘Of the estimated 150,000 displaced civilians in northern Yemen, they are the only ones with immediate access to clean drinking water, food, medical attention and most importantly, security.’

Via Al Jazeera