Hostilities in Yemen drive displacement amid access challenges: UN humanitarians

UNITED NATIONS - UN humanitarians on Monday warned that hostilities in Yemen are forcing people to flee their homes, causing civilian casualties, and putting already stretched humanitarian operations under growing pressure.

Renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced at least 125,000 civilians since the start of September, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The UN Human Rights Office has verified 40 civilian casualties — eight dead and 32 injured in the first two weeks of this month. Women and children account for half of those killed and more than half of those injured.

OCHA said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to respond, despite extremely difficult operating conditions, providing aid to thousands of households as of Saturday. However, supplies are critically low, and funding is falling short of needs.

"Humanitarian access and movements remain severely constrained due to insecurity," the office said. "Humanitarian movements into and within several locations on Yemen's west coast remain suspended, while key roads are restricted or impassable. OCHA once again calls on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access."