DISPLACED YEMENIS CAN'T RETURN TO VILLAGES DUE TO DESTRUCTION, YEMENI OFFICIAL

SANA'A, April 01 (Saba)- Displaced Yemenis can not currently return to their homes and villages in the war-affected areas of Saada, north Yemen, head of the executive unit of displaced camps Ahmed al-Kuhlani said on Thursday.

The Yemeni official added the war-affected areas are still destructed, especially in the border areas with Saudi Arabia.

"We must create suitable conditions…either through the provision of infrastructure or to make sure these areas are fully mine-free", said al-Kuhlani.

Al-Kuhlani is also Minister of Parliament and Shoura council Affairs.

In a news conference held in Sana'a, the Yemeni official said that the number of displaced has reached 350,000 by six rounds of the Saada six-year war before a ceasefire reached in February between the government and the Houthis.

"The number of the displaced continues to increase even after the war stopped because they were trapped and were able to move to the camps after thee ceasefire deal", al-Kuhlani added.

He confirmed the government's keenness to help the displaced people return to their villages with cooperation of the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, praising the efforts of humanitarian organizations in providing aid to the displaced in Saada.

YA