Escalating conflict is driving new displacement in Yemen

Key points

• 93,864 new people displaced in Yemen, said International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Rapidly escalating hostilities along Yemen’s west coast have forced thousands more to seek safety across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Djibouti. said UN refugee agency, UNHCR
• Ongoing insecurity can affect humanitarian and commercial shipping serving Yemen and other countries affected by the crisis with emergency supplies
• Nearly half of Yemen’s 41 million people need aid as acute hunger continues to rise

Recent ongoing clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and Iran-backed Houthi militias have triggered widespread displacement in Aden, Al Hodeidah, Abyan and Ta’iz, reflecting the widening geographic scope of the crisis. IOM said, calling for urgent support to meet the shelter, water and sanitation needs of newly displaced families.

At the same time, the UN refugee agency, UNHCRsaid the fighting had raised concerns about further displacement in Yemen and the movement of additional refugees if hostilities escalated.

“Many families were displaced within a short time with few possessions,” the agency reported, adding that shelter, food, clean water, health services and protection are the most urgent needs as host communities and refugee camps are already overwhelmed.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has just released $9 million from the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to provide urgent assistance to refugee families and host communities, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

Aid supplies are running low

“We are very concerned about the situation unfolding there,” he told reporters at UN Headquarters, adding that his colleagues “told us that the number of civilian casualties continues to riseforcing families to flee their homes, killing and wounding those caught in the crossfire, and long-standing humanitarian operations now coming under increasing pressure.”

Humanitarian supplies and resources are also running low.

“Once again, we call on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, respect international law, and facilitate safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid so that we can reach everyone who needs it wherever they are,” Dujarric said.

Thousands of people fled Yemen

UNHCR also reported that rapidly escalating hostilities along Yemen’s west coast have forced more than 2,400 people to flee to Djibouti over the past four days.

More than 60 percent are women, children and the elderlyand reports suggest that more people may be preparing to leave Yemen.

“People come after a difficult sea voyage, many were exhausted, stressed and had little to carrysaid Sandrine Desamours, UNHCR representative in Djibouti. “The response is already under pressure. We urgently need more support before more families come forward and need help beyond our capacity to help them.”

Damaged roads hamper assistance

Humanitarian access remains a major challenge despite damaged roads and ongoing insecurity, UNHCR said.

Additionally, telecommunications disruptions and movement restrictions also affected operations, particularly along the west coast and between Ta’iz, At Turbah and Aden.

Damage to Al Makha port further hampered humanitarian and logistical movements, the agency said.

Delivery alarm continues

The increase also raises broader concerns about the impact on global humanitarian logistics already strained by the ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, UN agencies said.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is an important maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

“Continued insecurity could impact humanitarian and commercial shipping serving Yemen, Sudan and other ongoing emergencies in the region and beyondpotentially increasing transport costs and delaying the delivery of critical aid supplies,” UNHCR said, warning that further worsening of security could force a re-routing via the Cape of Good Hope. adding 25 to 30 days to delivery time.

On the other hand, UNHCR already has mitigation measures in place, with emergency supplies already on the way and possible ground deliveries from its global stockpile in Dubai and Nairobi.

What is the UN doing in Yemen?

UN agencies are working hard to provide emergency aid throughout Yemen.

Here are the important things:

• Leading the interagency response for protection, shelter and site coordination, UNHCR working with humanitarian partners who continue to provide assistance, including financial assistance for 1,000 households, emergency shelter cash for 500 households and shelter repair equipment for 1,000 households
• IOM and its partners responding to needs on the ground and continuously monitoring displacement trends
• Children’s agency UNICEF continues to serve families, including targeted efforts in Marib, where social workers have provided support to 328 refugees, including 210 boys and girls, since the beginning of August 2026

Learn more about the UN’s efforts in Yemen Here.