300,000 flee western Yemen fighting, UN says

More than 300,000 people have fled their homes in western Yemen because of intensified fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, the UN said Sunday.

The International Organization for Migration said almost all of them were displaced in the last two months and urgently need shelter, food, clean water and health care.

Yemen slid back into war in July after four years of relative calm, amid fallout from the wider Middle East conflict. Hostilities intensified in September with a Houthi offensive in the west. Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions, and the Iranian-backed group has increased attacks inside Saudi territory.

The IOM said it was providing medical aid to civilians in five locations. Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Yemen chief of mission, said thousands of families could be left without urgent help if more funding is not provided.

The agency said fighting had pushed up prices for basic goods and put basic food supplies out of reach for many families. It said it needed $45 million over the next six months to continue providing lifesaving assistance.

The IOM urged all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and ensure safe humanitarian access, especially in hard-to-reach areas of Ta'iz.