UN warns up to 10,000 Yemenis may flee to Djibouti as fighting spikes displacement

What Happened

UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch said renewed battles between Iran‑backed Houthis and Saudi‑backed forces loyal to Yemen's Aden government could push more than 10,000 people across the Red Sea to Djibouti in the coming months. The Houthis seized Yemen's Red Sea coast earlier this month, a move that left hundreds dead, threatened global trade routes and lifted energy prices.

Impact

More than 3,000 Yemenis have already crossed to Djibouti in a single week, and the agency expects the figure to rise after sea conditions improve in mid‑October. Inside Yemen, internal displacement could rise from over 130,000 today to over 230,000, adding to the 5.2 million already displaced. Over 100,000 civilians have been uprooted so far, while an estimated 22 million Yemenis need humanitarian aid.

Funding Gap

UNHCR's Yemen operation is only about 18% funded for 2026, leaving a shortfall of roughly $25 million needed to assist around 231,000 people with immediate relief. Its Djibouti operations are just 15% funded, with a $13.5 million appeal to cover registration, reception and protection services for new arrivals.

Response

The UN is planning for the influx of more than 10,000 refugees in Djibouti and urging donors to close the funding gaps before the crisis deepens further.