The United Nations‑affiliated International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Monday that fighting in Yemen has uprooted almost 16,000 individuals during the week of 21 to 28 September. The agency’s latest figures bring the cumulative number of people displaced since the escalation of insecurity on the country’s western coast in June to 145,308, representing roughly 24,218 households across eight governorates.
According to the IOM, the weekly increase of 15,870 displaced persons marks a 12 percent rise over the previous reporting period. The organization attributes the surge to intensified clashes between rival factions, which have disrupted civilian movement and limited access to essential services.
IOM’s chief of mission in Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, highlighted the human dimension of the statistics, stating that “every week, we count thousands more people who have left everything behind.” He underscored that the displaced include parents seeking safety for their children, elderly individuals unable to travel long distances, and families with limited means to relocate.
The agency’s assessment covers eight governorates that have borne the brunt of the conflict, though it did not specify which regions experienced the highest outflows. The IOM’s monitoring relies on field reports, registration data from displacement sites, and coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners.
The latest displacement figures add to a growing humanitarian concern in Yemen, where protracted conflict has already forced millions from their homes and strained aid delivery. International bodies continue to call for increased protection of civilians and unhindered access for relief operations, while the IOM urges donors to sustain funding for emergency shelter, food, and health services for the newly displaced population.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/fighting-yemen-displaces-16000-over-past-week-iom.