Key facts
- Over 200,000 people displaced in Yemen since early September.
- Displacement figures rose from 76,000 in mid-September to 201,217 by October 7.
- Ta'iz governorate is the hardest hit, with 114,708 displaced people.
- Shelter is the most urgent need for displaced families, followed by food and cash support.
- Yemen's humanitarian response plan is only 20% funded.
- More than 3,700 people have fled by sea to Djibouti.
More than 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Yemen since renewed fighting began in early September, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The UN agency described the escalating crisis as alarming, with humanitarian needs soaring while funding is running out.
As of October 7, 2026, the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) counted 201,217 displaced individuals, a significant increase from 76,000 in mid-September. Nearly all of these displacements occurred since September 1. The crisis spans 10 governorates, with Ta'iz being the most affected, reporting 114,708 displaced people, followed by Lahj with 42,264 and Aden with 20,814.
IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted the urgent need for shelter, food, and safety, stating that "every day of delay costs lives." She appealed to donors for immediate action, emphasizing that Yemen must not become a forgotten crisis. The agency's teams are on the ground providing assistance, but the response is severely underfunded, with Yemen's humanitarian response plan only 20% funded.
Beyond internal displacement, over 3,700 people have fled by sea to Djibouti, arriving exhausted and with minimal resources. Many of these families have experienced displacement multiple times due to the prolonged conflict, which has lasted over 12 years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 5,100 casualties, including 959 deaths, since August 6. The WHO also noted a tripling of cholera cases and the spread of measles.
In a separate development, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced the release of one of its staff members who had been arbitrarily detained in Yemen. The WFP expressed solidarity with other detained UN and humanitarian personnel and called for their release.