Current wars in the world drive new displacements across Sudan and Myanmar

Ongoing conflicts across multiple regions including Yemen, Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Myanmar and the Central African Republic continue to drive displacement, humanitarian crises and civilian casualties as reported in early September 2026 updates, with current wars in the world fueling fresh waves of movement and hardship.

Yemen Clashes Escalate

Yemeni army and National Resistance Forces claim to have captured vast areas from Houthis in northern Yemen and forced Houthi boats to retreat north toward Hodeidah. [2] These developments occur amid broader tensions around the Bab al-Mandeb strait, where a Houthi offensive could bring tremendous leverage according to analysts. [1] The Yemeni army statements highlight territorial gains in the north while allied forces describe naval retreats by Houthi boats toward the city of Hodeidah. [2] Such actions reflect ongoing efforts to counter Houthi positions in a region critical for maritime routes. [1] Reports indicate that these clashes form part of wider hostilities that continue to shape dynamics in the area. [2]

Lebanon and Gaza Humanitarian Toll

Hostilities in southern Lebanon have caused intense bombardment in villages such as Mansouri, destroying homes and infrastructure while restricting humanitarian access south of the Litani River. [3] In Mansouri, a coastal village in South Governorate partially in the IDF-declared military area, a series of demolitions and bombardments has continued since this morning, with local authorities describing today as the most intense day of bombardment in the village since the escalation began on 2 March. [3] The continued destruction of homes and public infrastructure risks further disrupting people’s returns to their communities and setting back early recovery in areas already devastated by displacement and widespread damage. [3] OCHA remains concerned about humanitarian access, particularly south of the Litani River, where access to front-line locations remains highly restricted, often requiring passage through physical barriers controlled by the IDF. [3] Nevertheless, partners have continued to reach people in need, with 663 humanitarian movements facilitated through the Humanitarian Notification System since the start of the escalation on 2 March to the end of August. [3] OCHA reiterates the need for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and for safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access to all communities in need. [3]

Yemeni army forces advance and capture territory from Houthis in northern Yemen. — Source: anadolu

Israeli strikes continue to hit populated areas in Gaza including near UN shelters, worsening aid shortages that leave over 95 percent of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance far below required levels. [3] [4] Humanitarian partners report that Israeli air strikes and other attacks continue to hit populated areas in the Gaza Strip, putting civilians at risk and causing damage to property. [3] Yesterday, an air strike hit a building in Al Bureij area in Deir al Balah, near two UN schools serving as shelters for displaced people, as well as a bakery supported by the UN. [3] While no injuries have been reported, people in the area have alerted the UN about roughly 100 households who have lost their shelters or belongings. [3] The UN and its humanitarian partners are assessing these households’ needs and mobilizing rapid assistance. [3] However, teams warn that stocks of critical supplies are insufficient, both because of funding shortfalls and heavy restrictions on partners’ ability to replenish. [3] Civilians and civilian objects, including shelters and humanitarian facilities, must always be protected. [3] Yesterday, UN Women published a report showing how hostilities have fundamentally reshaped family dynamics and the ways households are navigating daily survival. [3] According to the agency’s survey, women-headed households have doubled since October 2023, reaching 86,000 households, almost every fourth family. [3] This includes widows and women whose husbands are missing, detained, severely injured, forcibly disappeared or whose fate remains unknown. [3] Households headed by women face greater hardship than male-headed households, including higher rates of inadequate shelter, housing damage and displacement. [3] For instance, 68 per cent of women-headed households lack adequate shelter, compared with 55 per cent of male-headed households. [3] UN Women warns that restrictions on humanitarian access, continued bombardment, and severe shortages of basic necessities and services are deepening the hardship. [3]

Sudan Displacement and Health Crises

In Sudan, new displacements are occurring due to insecurity and drone strikes in Darfur and Blue Nile states, alongside a cholera outbreak prompting vaccination campaigns for displaced populations. [3] [5] Despite ongoing insecurity, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide critical assistance to people in need in Sudan, including in the effort to contain cholera in the Darfur region and other affected areas. [3] Yesterday, with support from the World Health Organization, health authorities launched a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign in Tawila locality, North Darfur State, aiming to protect 95,000 displaced people. [3] According to WHO, the current cholera outbreak, declared in June, has resulted in nearly 2,900 reported cases and 247 associated deaths in six states. [3] Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration and its partners recently provided emergency shelter and essential household items to 12,000 people across Tawila, Al Lait and Um Hajaleej localities. [3] Elsewhere in North Darfur State, IOM reports that last week, about 1,300 people fled increased insecurity in villages in Um Baru locality, close to the Sudan-Chad border. [3] They reportedly sought safety elsewhere in North Darfur and across the border in Chad. [3] In South Darfur State, up to three drone strikes reportedly hit locations in Nyala city yesterday. [3] Local sources report that a civilian residence was struck, resulting in casualties. [3] In Blue Nile State, IOM reports that on Monday, increased insecurity displaced more than 3,300 people from several villages in Geisan locality, next to the Sudan-Ethiopia border. [3] They reportedly sought safety in Wad Al Mahi locality. [3] Meanwhile, intercommunal tensions are rising in parts of South and Central Darfur states, where several deadly incidents have been reported in recent days. [3] Once again, OCHA calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. [3]

Other Active Conflict Zones

Intensified hostilities in Myanmar’s Rakhine state have displaced hundreds, while armed group activity in the Central African Republic has increased risks of sexual violence and limited maternal healthcare access. [3] Deadly hostilities displace hundreds in Rakhine as intensified hostilities continue in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. [3] Humanitarian partners are sounding the alarm over troubling child protection and maternal health trends in the south-east of the Central African Republic. [3] Between February and September this year, partners report that girls under the age of 18 accounted for nearly 60 per cent of deliveries of babies at health facilities in Zemio, the largest city in Haut-Mbomou prefecture. [3] Humanitarians warn that the true figure is likely higher, as many births are happening at home. [3] This is particularly the case along routes into the city of Zemio, where civilians have taken refuge in the bush and are cut off from basic services. [3] Most health facilities in the area have reportedly been looted or vandalized by armed groups. [3] Women and girls in these areas also face heightened risks of sexual violence and exploitation. [3] Nation-wide, one woman dies from pregnancy-related causes for every 120 live births. [3] More than 40 per cent of health facilities across the country remain only partially accessible due to insecurity and physical and financial barriers, with Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures among the worst affected. [3] OCHA and several partners temporarily suspended operations in Zemio in late June, following serious security incidents attributed to armed groups. [3] An upcoming OCHA-led mission will seek to restore full humanitarian access to the area. [3]

Aid Shortages and Civilian Impacts

Gaza’s Social Development Ministry says aid entering the territory remains far below need, with most residents dependent on humanitarian assistance. [4] The ministry said on Wednesday that Israeli claims denying the existence of a hunger crisis were an attempt to obscure worsening humanitarian conditions. [4] It also accused Israel of failing to meet the terms of the ceasefire agreement, particularly a provision requiring at least 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza each day. [4] Aziza al-Kahlout, a spokesperson for the ministry, told The New Arab that figures on the number of trucks entering Gaza did not necessarily reflect how much aid was reaching civilians. [4] She said UN data showed that while aid was entering Gaza, the amount reaching residents and being distributed remained far below the level of need. [4] According to al-Kahlout, no more than 30% of those requiring humanitarian assistance were currently benefiting from it. [4] She said ministry databases showed that 513,000 families needed support, while more than 95% of Gaza’s population had become fully dependent on aid. [4] More than 90% had also lost their purchasing power because of the war and Israeli restrictions, she said. [4] Al-Kahlout estimated that the amount of aid entering Gaza was equivalent to no more than 15% of the population’s overall needs. [4] She also said cash assistance to families had fallen by 40%, while other forms of relief had also declined. [4] A humanitarian protocol agreed under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan on 10 October 2025 stipulated that at least 600 aid trucks should enter Gaza every day. [4] Gaza’s Government Media Office said on Tuesday that Israel was allowing in only about 35% of required food supplies, accusing it of practising silent starvation. [4] It said 69,387 aid and food trucks had entered Gaza over the 330 days since the ceasefire agreement was signed, compared with 198,000 that should have entered under the agreement. [4] Israel has said large quantities of humanitarian aid are entering Gaza. [4] But UN agencies have repeatedly warned that the amount reaching civilians and the ability to distribute it remain constrained. [4] In August, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said 94% of Palestinians in Gaza needed shelter and basic household supplies. [4] UN data released for World Humanitarian Day also showed that four in five families were facing critical or catastrophic levels of hunger in shelters already struggling with shortages of fuel, power and essential goods. [4]

What to watch next: OCHA reiterates calls for protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure alongside safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access across affected regions, while an upcoming OCHA-led mission seeks to restore full humanitarian access in Zemio.