The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, with 18.2 million people in urgent need of assistance, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Geneva on Friday, August 30th, 2024, UNHCR spokesperson for Yemen, Maysa Khalaf, highlighted the worsening conditions faced by millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The protracted conflict has left millions of Yemenis trapped in a cycle of displacement, struggling with deteriorating living conditions and facing ongoing instability, livelihood challenges, and the threat of landmines.

Khalaf emphasized that the majority of displaced families are unable to return home due to these persistent obstacles. She stressed that the situation in Yemen remains one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, despite the focus on other emergencies around the world.

"Currently, 18.2 million people in the country, including 4.5 million IDPs, require urgent humanitarian assistance," Khalaf stated. "This figure includes over 60,000 refugees and migrants, most of whom are from Somalia and Ethiopia."

Yemen has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis since the outbreak of war in 2014, triggered by the Houthi group's takeover of the capital Sana'a. The Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, has exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people, leaving them in desperate need of aid and relief.