UN: Yemen Fighting Drives at Least 150,000 From Their Homes

At least 150,000 people have been forced from their homes in Yemen amid renewed fighting that has killed hundreds, according to the United Nations.

The escalation follows the rapid advance of Iran-backed Houthi fighters along Yemen’s western coast toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in recent weeks. The fighters have also clashed with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

Families flee Hays

Residents displaced from Hays described leaving amid attacks, mortar fire, shelling and bombardment. Abu Walid, who withheld his real name because of concerns for his family’s safety, said Houthi fighters had taken control of the city.

He said his family came under attack at about 6 p.m. and left with only the clothes they were wearing. “We came under attack by the Houthis at around 6pm., and we left our home with nothing but the clothes we were wearing,” he said.

Abu Walid also described the danger near his home, saying, “It got to the point where a mortar shell landed right next to the door of our house.”

An unnamed woman displaced from Hays said she fled with her children after a mortar shell was fired at them. She said the family had no identity cards or passports and did not know where to go.

“Our children are now out of school. We want help from humanitarian organizations. We need homes, schools, and hospitals,” she said.

Humanitarian response

Displaced people and their children have been seen living in tents and registering for aid. Some said they had nothing apart from the clothes they were wearing.

The United Nations Population Fund’s rapid response mechanism is providing everyday household items and supporting women, families and children during their first five days after displacement.

Francesco Gualtieri, the UNFPA representative in Yemen, said people in areas affected by very low security were increasingly difficult to reach. “They are hard to reach, access has become very difficult for the authorities, for service providers, for the humanitarian organisations,” he said.

The access difficulties affect authorities, service providers and humanitarian organizations attempting to assist civilians in areas affected by the fighting.

Displacement crisis

Yemen was already facing a major displacement crisis before the latest escalation, with more than 5.2 million people internally displaced inside the country.

The conflict has continued against a backdrop of more than a decade of fighting and economic collapse. The United Nations has not provided a more specific figure for those killed in the latest violence beyond describing the toll as hundreds.