More than 250,000 people have been displaced across Yemen since August as fighting escalates. The figure rose from nearly 213,000 previously reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Taiz is at the centre of the displacement crisis. The area accounts for 76 percent of departures and hosts 52 percent of those newly displaced, according to the UNHCR.
Lahj in southwestern Yemen hosts 23 percent of the newly displaced population. Aden in the south accounts for 13 percent.
The UNHCR released a statement detailing the violence. Shelling intensified in Taiz, including in residential areas and around health facilities. Insecurity and restrictions along key routes continue to constrain humanitarian access and movement, the agency said.
Strikes were reported in Aden, including near key civilian infrastructure.
By October 17, the UNHCR and its partners had assessed 12,283 displaced households across Abyan, Aden, Marib, Lahj and Taiz. This total included around 2,050 families without shelter.
Shelter partners have reached 3,166 households. Around 33,700 families still require shelter assistance amid severe underfunding of the wider humanitarian response.
Schools in Kharaz refugee camp in Lahj closed again on October 11 as the security situation deteriorated. The camp hosts 9,490 refugees. Access restrictions continued to affect humanitarian operations and movement to and from the camp.
Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and several other provinces in September 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.
The Houthis control much of northern and western Yemen. Government forces and their allies hold Aden and large parts of the country’s southern and eastern provinces.
