Renewed fighting in Yemen’s Taiz governorate has forced thousands to flee their homes, deepening the humanitarian crisis and disrupting daily life, including education, for many children in the region.

Thirteen-year-old Muneer Farie had recently been attending school and helping his family with livestock in the Wazeyah district when clashes between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces drew near. Fighting intensified in September after the Houthis launched a military campaign capturing towns along the Red Sea coast, breaking a relative calm that had lasted since a UN-mediated ceasefire in 2022.

As the frontlines approached his village, Muneer and his family fled early one morning, taking only essential belongings. They sought refuge at a displacement camp in Shimayateen, arriving with limited supplies. The family joins more than 130,000 people driven from their homes since the recent escalation.

“Studying is important, but not in a situation like this where we are struggling to get enough food, water and other necessities,” Muneer said. He and his siblings now sell small items in markets near the camp to help support their family. Prior to the escalation, approximately 3.2 million children in Yemen already experienced interrupted education due to the ongoing civil war.

Life inside the camp is crowded and difficult. Muneer and his family share a small tent, contending with heat and limited resources. His father, Ghaleb Farie, has asked his sons to work to help meet basic needs but remains uncertain about when or if they can return home.

Those who remain in Taiz are also facing mounting challenges. Abdulwasea Abdu, principal of Musab ibn Umayr school, described how the school was forced to close after a nearby missile strike caused panic and psychological distress among students. The closure affects more than 600 pupils, further disrupting education in a region already burdened by conflict. Abdu pointed to fighting on multiple fronts around the area that continues to prevent a return to normal schooling.

The fighting has also complicated travel and commerce. An expatriate worker in Saudi Arabia named Asaad noted the disruption of direct routes between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, forcing lengthy detours through Aden reminiscent of earlier phases of the war.

As Yemen’s conflict resumes with increasing intensity, the humanitarian toll continues to mount, particularly on children who face interrupted education, displacement, and increased economic hardship. Aid groups warn that prolonged instability may also push more children into labor to support their families amid deteriorating conditions.