The ordeal is far from over for the thousands of Yemenis who have fled the Houthi escalation in western Taiz and southern Hodeidah.
Reaching safer areas did not mark the end of their struggle, as many families found themselves without shelter after traveling long distances on foot under intense heat, only to face hunger, disease, and a shortage of clean water amid growing risks of malnutrition and cholera.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned of deteriorating health and living conditions among displaced people in the governorates of Lahj and Aden, noting that those fleeing the escalation are experiencing high rates of severe acute malnutrition, cholera, acute watery diarrhea, measles, and other infectious diseases. At the same time, their ability to secure food, clean water, and medical care continues to decline.
According to MSF, the latest wave of escalation has displaced families from areas along Yemen’s western coast that have come under Houthi control, leaving them once again facing harsh conditions after abandoning their homes, possessions, and livelihoods in search of safety.
Conditions documented by mobile medical teams reveal the extent of the displaced population’s suffering. Many have traveled long distances across desert terrain in extreme heat, with no guarantee of access to food, water, or shelter from the harsh weather.
“Displaced people who cannot find shelter in host communities, and formal or informal camps have been seen by our teams on the road or sleeping under the shade of trees,” MSF said.
Those who have settled around Lahj governorate “are in critical need of medical and humanitarian support, including water and sanitation services in the informal places where they settle, such as schools and mosques. The risk of waterborne diseases, like cholera, is increasing rapidly in the current conditions.”
The consequences of displacement extend far beyond the loss of homes and the hardships of the journey. Women and children face growing health risks amid worsening food insecurity, the loss of income and livelihoods, and the struggle to meet basic needs, making daily survival a constant challenge for families forced to flee.
“In the many camps across Lahj and Aden governorates, 70 percent of the patients treated by MSF mobile clinics are women and children. People present with skin infections, fever, diarrhea, and communicable diseases,” MSF said.
“The long walks have caused foot injuries and ear and eye infections,” it added.
The risks are even greater for children suffering from malnutrition, as their chances of obtaining adequate nutrition and regular healthcare continue to decline due to poverty, displacement, and limited access to medical services. MSF teams have identified cases of severe acute malnutrition among children requiring specialized medical intervention.
Food insecurity and declining sources of income, coupled with a rise in cholera cases, are further exacerbating the health challenges faced by displaced people. Many are struggling to access medical facilities or obtain the referrals needed for essential treatment.
“In response to the needs of displaced people, we sent mobile clinics across Aden and Lahj governorates, with 775 total consultations since 15 September. Twenty children were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition,” said MSF.
For families that have traveled long distances in search of safety, the struggle does not end once they leave conflict zones behind. Instead, a new battle begins: securing food, drinking water, and shelter to protect their children from heat and disease.
As needs continue to grow, the urgency of providing shelter, food, healthcare, and clean water for displaced people becomes increasingly evident. These are families who have been forced to abandon their homes and start over under extremely harsh conditions.
