Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

The UN refugee agency warned Tuesday that Yemen's displacement crisis is worsening, with more than 130,000 people forced to flee their homes since early September as hostilities intensify.

"Fighting in Yemen is expanding across multiple front lines, triggering a rapidly growing displacement crisis and driving more than 130,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of September," UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told a press conference in Geneva.

Since the renewed fighting began, large numbers of Yemeni refugees have already crossed the Bab al-Mandab Strait to reach Djibouti, the spokesman said.

"Yemeni refugees continue to arrive daily. More than 3,000 have so far arrived in Djibouti, where UNHCR is working with authorities and partners to assist the arrivals," he said.

Baloch warned that the escalation could trigger even larger waves of displacement, with growing numbers of Yemenis expected to flee the country for Djibouti, Somalia and beyond.

Yemen's conflict erupted in late 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of the north. Fighting has intensified in recent days across western and northern Yemen -- the sharpest escalation since a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted major hostilities.

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

Yemenis flee in growing numbers as fighting intensifies: UNHCR

The Third Hong Kong Youth Development Summit opened on Saturday, attracting more than 3,300 young people from around the world to explore more diverse development opportunities for the younger generation.

Under the theme "Pioneering New Horizons, Venturing into the Future", the forum brought together officials from different regions and industry leaders from various sectors to discuss issues of concern to young people.

In his opening address, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong is creating more diverse development opportunities for young people, enabling them to fully realize their potential and shine on the international stage.

"As an international metropolis, Hong Kong imbues its young people with an intrinsic global outlook. We can leverage this advantage and make good use of it, planning our own futures, and pursuing and realizing our dreams. Through this platform, Hong Kong youth can meet young friends from different places abroad, deepen communication, and build friendships," said Alice Mak, secretary for home and youth affairs of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Youth Development Summit draws 3,300 global participants on future horizons

Hong Kong Youth Development Summit draws 3,300 global participants on future horizons