Over 100,000 displaced in Yemen: UN

Over 100,000 individuals have been compelled to abandon their homes in Yemen due to the escalating conflict between Houthi rebels and government forces, according to the United Nations. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that the ongoing hostilities along Yemen's western coastline have resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 people within the nation, and have driven thousands to undertake perilous voyages across the Bab al-Mandeb strait to seek refuge in Djibouti.

The UNHCR has cautioned that the violence could lead to a humanitarian crisis as the number of displaced individuals rises, straining communities with limited resources. To address the immediate needs of families inside Yemen, the agency estimates a requirement of $14 million in additional funding, alongside further support for those arriving in Djibouti.

Many families fled the conflict with minimal possessions. Shelter, sustenance, clean water, healthcare, and protection services are among the most critical necessities, as both receiving communities and displacement sites become overwhelmed. Over 65,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers within Yemen, primarily originating from Somalia and Ethiopia, are also facing risks due to the ongoing fighting.

The displacement process began when the Iran-aligned Houthis launched a swift advance, ultimately securing control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and solidifying their influence over the Bab al-Mandeb. This strategic waterway serves as a crucial maritime route connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, having emerged as an alternative shipping route in light of the United States' war against Iran, which had choked the Strait of Hormuz.

A displaced woman named Aisha Muhammad had to leave her five children behind in their village near the port city of Mocha when it was overrun by the Houthis last week. She described the dire situation, stating, "They are being blocked and shot at, so they are trapped inside their homes. They are cooking only rice, no bread, nothing else. My daughters called me saying they want to join us, but it has become too difficult."

Hussein Haydara, a displaced man from Hodeidah, recounted his sudden escape with his family. UNHCR reports that more than 2,400 people made the perilous journey across the Bab al-Mandeb strait in the past four days. Most of the arrivals are women, children, and older individuals, according to the agency. Sandrine Desamours, UNHCR's representative in Djibouti, emphasized that the individuals crossing the strait are often exhausted, distressed, and carrying only the essentials they could manage to take with them.