Intense fighting in Yemen has displaced more than 184,000 people between 1 August and 4 October alone, the majority since the start of September, according to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM).
In the week between 27 September and 3 October, DTM recorded 21,798 individuals, or 3,633 households, who were displaced at least once, representing a 26 per cent increase on the previous week. A further 6,474 people, or 1,079 households, were displaced on 4 October alone. All are in need of food, shelter, and other basic humanitarian assistance.
"As the conflict intensifies, more and more people are thrown into an appalling cycle of displacement, living in fear of their lives and with their futures uncertain," said IOM Director General, Amy Pope. "We reiterate the urgent need for securing humanitarian access to all those impacted. The international community must urgently do more to allow humanitarians to meet critical needs."
A rapid protection assessment conducted in three displacement sites in Ma'rib last week found that the lack of safe shelter remains the most critical vulnerability factor. Some assessed households are sleeping in the open, which exposes them to violence and to the effects of the conflict, such as airstrikes. Women and girls raised the shortage of appropriate latrines as a concern.
Approximately 45 per cent of assessed households had experienced displacement before, together with loss of assets and unstable livelihoods, reducing households' ability to cope. In these conditions, households may turn to harmful coping strategies including child labour, IOM warns.
The assessment also identified multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities among persons and households, including persons with disabilities, female-headed households, children and older persons.
IOM teams are working with local authorities and humanitarian partners to reach newly displaced families with emergency shelter, essential household items, cash assistance, clean water and sanitation, and protection services. DTM monitors population movements every day, and its data helps partners deliver aid where it is needed most.
IOM calls for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, and for safe, unimpeded access so that aid can reach displaced families and the communities hosting them.
With the situation remaining volatile, further displacement is possible in the coming days. IOM will continue tracking population movements and sharing verified data as events unfold.
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