At least 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting escalated last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said today. The number is alarmingly rising by the hour. IOM is calling on all parties to the conflict to guarantee safe humanitarian access and to protect civilians, aid workers and assets on the ground.
"Families are being forced to flee for the second or third time in this conflict, with almost nothing left," said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. "As fighting spreads, reaching people with lifesaving assistance is becoming harder. We urgently need safe, unimpeded access. All parties must protect civilians and humanitarian workers, and safeguard the supplies, vehicles and facilities we depend on to deliver help."
The figure spans the West Coast and Taiz governorates as of yesterday, and continues to climb. Overnight, large numbers of people were reportedly seen leaving Mokha city with their belongings. IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) team is working to establish updated figures to inform the humanitarian system and its lifesaving response, though communication with affected areas remains highly challenging due to widespread telecommunications disruptions.
New arrivals are being reported Lahj and Aden Governorates, reports also indicate people are also moving North towards Ibb. Entire villages are reported to have emptied in Maqbanah, Jabal Habashi and Al Ma'afer as clashes moved closer to populated areas. The Mokha-Taiz road, a key supply route, has reportedly been cut, and host communities in the region are under growing strain.
From the onset of the conflict, IOM has been responding to displaced populations through its Shelter, Land and Property, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), and other field teams. Due to the deteriorating security environment, all operational movements have been temporarily suspended as of today.
IOM calls on all parties to guarantee safe, sustained humanitarian access; to ensure the safety of aid workers, premises and assets across the country; and to restore the communications and transport routes needed to deliver assistance. Emergency stocks are already depleted from recent flood response, and the most urgent needs are shelter, food, water, household items, healthcare and protection support.
