According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), displacement in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, has now reached 85,818 people, up sharply in recent days (82,164 since beginning of September alone ) as fighting continues along the West Coast. Families are being forced from their homes, and some are now fleeing the country altogether.
Over 2,000 people fleeing the hostilities have reached Djibouti's northern shores so far, landing at scattered points along the coast near Obock. Djiboutian authorities are leading the response, mobilizing the Navy, army, police and health services, with support from IOM and UN partners. Arrivals, many of them women and young children, have been transported to the Markazi site in Obock, where they are receiving water, high-energy biscuits and hot meals. More are expected to flee as fighting intensifies.
"Behind every number is a family who's lost everything," said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. "Many have been displaced multiple times. People are crossing the sea with nothing because they have no other choice left. Yemen is a country torn by poverty and conflict, and it cannot carry this crisis alone. I call on donors to scale up support now, for those arriving in Djibouti and for the communities in Obock receiving them."
Fighting is escalating rapidly along the West Coast and South Taiz frontlines. Taiz remains the hardest hit, with 9,280 households, or nearly 56,000 people, displaced from districts including Jabal Habashy, Al Ma'afer, Maqbanah, Mawza and Al Wazi'iyah. Lahj follows with 3,225 households, or over 19,000 people, most from Al-Mudharibah district, with numbers rising in recent days. Al Hodeidah has recorded 1,374 households, or over 8,000 people, displaced, largely from Hays. Aden has also seen a recent uptick, with 424 households, or over 2,500 people, displaced.
Inside Yemen, families continue to flee multiple times, some for the second or third time in 12 years of conflict, with almost nothing left. Roads are increasingly inaccessible due to ongoing fighting, and communications in affected areas remain disrupted, making it harder to reach people and assess needs.
IOM continues to call for safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, and for all parties to protect civilians, humanitarian workers, and the supplies, vehicles and facilities needed to deliver aid.
The situation remains volatile and unpredictable. IOM will continue to monitor developments closely and report further updates as they become available.
