Yemen: The impact of escalating fighting on the population
Yemen is experiencing a violent new resurgence of the conflict that threatens to worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Following a phase of relative stability that succeeded the UN-brokered truce in 2022, armed clashes have re-intensified along several frontlines, particularly in Taiz, Marib, Lahj and Shabwah.
The escalation of hostilities is causing civilian casualties and has triggered a massive and dramatic displacement of families, forced to flee their homes under extremely precarious conditions. With more than 22 million people already in need of aid across the country, this new surge of violence puts women, children, and vulnerable individuals at severe risk, pushing the assistance system to its limits and making rapid intervention essential to protect the population. Despite the huge needs the current Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, until now, is only funded by 20,3%.
INTERSOS’ response alongside displaced populations
Recent fighting along the country’s western coast has triggered an unprecedented mass displacement: around 120,000 people have already been displaced, pointing toward a prolonged crisis. Despite growing security challenges and incidents reported in all of our areas of operations, such as Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwah, our operations continue uninterrupted. INTERSOS concentrates its operational presence in southern Yemen, along the southern coast (in areas under the authority of the Internationally Recognised Government), acting promptly to respond to the basic needs of fleeing families.
What we do on the ground: The emergency response
New arrivals from the western coast are welcomed and integrated into the services we already provide across 11 different locations, including Internally Displaced Persons camps. Through our mobile clinics, we identify and provide initial assistance to arriving families.
We ensure primary healthcare, nutritional support to combat childhood malnutrition, and protection interventions for the most vulnerable with the support of the European Union. To respond to the new wave of displacement, we are activating the project’s Crisis Modifier to rapidly disburse direct cash assistance, enabling families to purchase essential items.
With the support of DRA, we have also activated the emergency response (Crisis Modifier) in two additional key locations. The intervention combines the distribution of water and hygiene products, protection activities, and direct financial support dedicated to highly vulnerable communities and displaced people.
Beyond the southern coast, we maintain active mixed migration interventions from Abyan to Shabwah and stand ready to extend assessments and humanitarian response toward Marib and Hadramaut should displacement routes shift further east.
Our call for action: Protect civilians and guarantee access to aid
After more than a decade of conflict, over half of Yemen’s population requires humanitarian assistance. The intensifying combat is severely endangering the lives of thousands of people, who are often forced to flee for the second or third time, this figure could reach millions. As a humanitarian organization working on the ground alongside partner NGOs, we launch an urgent appeal:
- Immediate Protection: All parties involved must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensuring humanitarian safe routes and zones for those fleeing the fighting.
- Access and Flexible Funding: It is essential to guarantee sustainable, unhindered access for humanitarian workers and allocate new flexible funding to cover emerging needs in shelter, water, food, health, nutrition, and protection.
- Peace Process: The people of Yemen cannot endure another cycle of violence. We call on the international community to leverage all diplomatic channels to lead a meaningful political process toward lasting peace in Yemen.