Islamic Relief has carried out its first food distributions in Yemen's troubled north despite ongoing fighting in the area. Around 150,000 people have been displaced by the conflict between the government and rebel groups in the troubled region of Saa'da. The volatile security situation has left people with no access to aid over the past month.

Calls for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the area have so far been unheeded and fighting has continued to rage in Saa'da and neighbouring governorates. Despite this, Islamic Relief has so far been able to distribute food to 1,400 displaced families in Saa'da town and if security allows will provide food to a further 4,800 families in the coming days.

"Despite continuous fighting and the threats and challenges faced by our staff, we have finally been able to distribute food to families affected by the violence in Saa'da," said Khalid Almulad, Islamic Relief Yemen's Country Director. "Many of the displaced people we have reached had not received any food since the conflict started one month ago and were very grateful for the parcels.

"We hope that our food distributions in Saa'da will continue but so far we have been unable to meet the needs of the displaced people in other governorates such as Al Jowf. Islamic Relief is coordinating closely with the UN and other aid agencies to meet people's needs, yet without humanitarian access we are severely restricted in the work we can do."

Islamic Relief is the implementing partner of the UN World Food Programme in Saa'da but had previously been unable to carry out any food distributions due to the tight security conditions. Islamic Relief currently has enough food for 60,000 people and is calling for humanitarian access to allow further emergency distributions to take place.

In the past few days Islamic Relief has carried out assessments in Al Jowf and in Amran where many thousands of displaced people have settled. In one health centre in Khaiwan in Amran, Islamic Relief aid workers found displaced people living in schools with no access to aid. A lack of health care and clean water had also caused outbreaks of diseases such as bilharsia, diarrhoea and skin infections.

Khalid Almulad said, "The number of displaced people from Saa'da who have settled in neighbouring governorates has caused tensions with the local community over land and resources. Despite the extremely volatile security situation in these areas, Islamic Relief staff are working tirelessly to find suitable sites for the camps as well as providing people with much needed assistance.

"Unfortunately the violence has continued to spread over the last few days and this has prevented us from accessing those people who have so far received no aid. We had hoped to set up operations in Al Marachi in Al Jowf, but an escalation in fighting there has so far made it impossible. With the end of the holy month of Ramadan approaching, we desperately hope that humanitarian access will be granted so we can help these people."