Yemen Fighting Displaces 125,000 as Refugees Flee to Djibouti

Renewed fighting along the western coast of Yemen has displaced an estimated 125,000 people, triggering a humanitarian crisis across the region. The United Nations World Food Programme is scaling up emergency responses after clashes in Al Mokha since September 9 led to the breaching of agency premises and the loss of 49 food distribution points. While the agency has provided food assistance to 45,000 people, it is preparing to assist 1.5 million more if the conflict intensifies.

Violence including bombardment and shelling has pushed nearly 3,000 people across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into Djibouti in less than one week. More than half of these arrivals are women and children, many of whom are second-time refugees. In Djibouti, the Markazi refugee village is nearing capacity, resulting in critical shortages of water, sanitation, healthcare, and shelter.

Humanitarian agencies warn that severe funding gaps threaten the response. The World Food Programme is requesting 274 million USD to sustain operations through 2027, warning that low funds may force it to divert resources from 1.7 million people currently supported in Government of Yemen areas. Simultaneously, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is seeking 19.1 million USD for operations in Yemen and Djibouti, noting that current funding levels are as low as 15 percent for its Djibouti mission.