UN: Number of displaced people in Yemen rises to 76,000 since July

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned in a statement of "a rapidly worsening displacement crisis in Yemen that is evolving hour by hour," adding that "at least 76,000 people have fled their homes since July."

It explained that a quarter of these have been displaced over the past week as the Houthis launched a sweeping offensive through which they took control of Yemen's entire western coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait area.

"This figure represents four times the toll recorded last week, as fighting intensifies," it said, warning that "entire families are now displaced, often leaving their homes at night without finding a safe place to take refuge."

A spokesperson for the organization said that more than 70,000 displaced people have fled their homes since the beginning of September.

According to the organization, the displacement waves have been concentrated in the western coast regions and Taiz Governorate, which was the hardest hit, with around 8,300 families—nearly 50,000 people—displaced from the governorate's districts.

It noted that a large number of the displaced families had previously been displaced during the conflict that has lasted for more than a decade.

"They are exhausted. Their resources are completely depleted, and most fled with just the clothes on their backs," it added.

The organization confirmed that its field teams are distributing emergency aid including shelter materials and hygiene kits, but warned that humanitarian needs "far outweigh" what can be provided at present.

"The situation is deteriorating day by day, and the number of displaced people is expected to rise further in the coming days," it said.