Nearly 3,000 Flee Yemen to Djibouti in Under a Week as Violence Escalates, UN Says

Nearly 3,000 people fled Yemen to Djibouti in less than a week amid escalating violence, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said.

According to the agency, more than half of the recent arrivals are women and children, underscoring the vulnerability of those making the crossing from Yemen.

UNHCR warned that reception capacity in Djibouti is "rapidly diminishing" as the pace of new arrivals continues, raising concerns about the ability of local authorities and humanitarian agencies to adequately accommodate and assist the growing number of people seeking refuge.

The agency did not provide further details on the specific causes of the latest surge in departures from Yemen, but the report cited by Anadolu Agency links the movement directly to escalating violence in the country.

Yemen has endured years of conflict that has repeatedly displaced civilians internally and driven others to seek safety abroad, with Djibouti, located across the Bab al-Mandab strait, serving as one of the nearest points of refuge for those fleeing by sea.

UNHCR did not immediately provide additional information on the specific support measures being deployed to address the diminishing reception capacity, nor did it specify the exact number of shelters or resources currently available in Djibouti.

The situation is being closely monitored by humanitarian agencies, according to the report, as the number of arrivals continues to strain existing infrastructure.