More than 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting escalated last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday, warning that the number is rising “by the hour”.
The UN agency said many families are being uprooted for the second or third time since the conflict began.
“Families are being forced to flee for the second or third time in this conflict, with almost nothing left,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope.
Pope warned that delivering aid is becoming increasingly difficult as the fighting spreads.
“As fighting spreads, reaching people with lifesaving assistance is becoming harder. We urgently need safe, unimpeded access,” Pope added, calling on all sides to protect civilians, aid workers and the supplies, vehicles and facilities used to deliver help.
The displacement figures cover Yemen's western coast and Taiz province as of Thursday and are continuing to rise.
Large numbers of people were reportedly seen leaving the port city of Mokha overnight, carrying what belongings they could.
New arrivals have since been reported in the southern provinces of Lahj and Aden, while others are said to be moving north towards Ibb province.
Entire villages in Maqbanah, Jabal Habashi and Al-Ma'afer have reportedly been emptied as clashes move closer to populated areas.
The Mokha–Taiz road, a vital supply route, has also reportedly been cut off, placing further pressure on host communities already struggling to support displaced families.
The IOM said it has been supporting displaced people since the start of the conflict through its shelter, land and property teams, Camp Coordination and Camp Management units, and other teams operating in the field.
However, all operational movements were temporarily suspended on Friday due to what the agency called a “deteriorating security environment”.
The IOM called on the warring parties to ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access, protect aid workers and facilities, and restore communications and transport links needed to deliver assistance.
Emergency supplies had already been depleted during the response to last month’s floods, the agency said.
The most urgent needs now include shelter, food, water, household items, healthcare and protection services.
Widespread telecommunications disruptions are also making it harder for the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix team to compile up-to-date figures to help guide the humanitarian response.
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