UNHCR says displacement rising in Yemen as fighting escalates

Hostilities in Yemen have escalated further, prompting the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to warn on Tuesday that an increasing number of people are fleeing their homes, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis in the region. The agency highlighted that intensified fighting between the Houthi movement and government-aligned forces has disrupted civilian life across several governorates, forcing families to abandon their homes in search of safety.

UNHCR estimates that more than 4 million Yemenis are now internally displaced, with an additional 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Oman. The surge in displacement has strained the limited capacity of humanitarian organizations, which report shortages of shelter, food, clean water, and medical supplies. Access constraints, including damaged infrastructure and ongoing security risks, have hampered aid deliveries to the most affected areas, raising concerns about the potential for disease outbreaks and heightened vulnerability among women, children, and the elderly.

The agency urged the international community to expand funding and to support safe corridors for aid distribution, emphasizing that without immediate assistance the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further. UNHCR called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and to facilitate the safe return of displaced populations once hostilities subside.