Yemen Refugee Crisis Could Send 10,000 to Djibouti 

The Yemen refugee crisis could send 10,000 people to Djibouti in the coming months as renewed fighting pushes more civilians away from their homes, the United Nations warned on Tuesday. Around 3,000 Yemenis have already crossed the Red Sea to Djibouti since the beginning of September, with the number expected to rise as sea conditions become easier. 

The UN refugee agency is preparing for a sharp increase in arrivals while struggling with limited funding for its operations in the small East African country. 

The Yemen refugee crisis could send 10,000 people to Djibouti as the UNHCR estimates that arrivals could reach that figure by next month. Difficult conditions at sea have limited crossings so far, but the agency expects movement to increase once those conditions improve. 

Djibouti is already providing assistance to thousands of newly arrived Yemenis. However, the UNHCR says its operations in the country are only 15 percent funded and is appealing for more than $13 million to maintain essential services for refugees. 

The dangerous Red Sea journey has become an escape route for people fleeing renewed violence in Yemen. Those arriving in Djibouti are being supported as authorities and aid agencies prepare for potentially larger numbers. 

The pressure is not limited to people leaving Yemen. More than 130,000 people have already been displaced inside the country following the advance of Houthi rebels along the coast. 

The Yemen internal displacement figure could rise beyond 230,000, according to the UN warning. That would come on top of an estimated 5.2 million people already displaced inside Yemen after years of conflict. 

The scale of the Yemen refugee crisis is therefore expected to stretch humanitarian operations both inside the country and across the Red Sea. Aid agencies are facing the challenge of assisting new arrivals while continuing support for people who have already been displaced. 

The UNHCR is seeking $25 million to support people displaced inside Yemen, while its Djibouti operation needs more than $13 million for essential assistance. Funding shortages are already limiting the agency’s ability to respond to the growing humanitarian needs. 

The Yemen refugee crisis could send 10,000 people to Djibouti if crossings increase as expected. The next few weeks will depend partly on sea conditions and the development of fighting along Yemen’s coast, while humanitarian agencies continue appealing for funds.