International aid organizations working in Yemen expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian situation in and around Marib as hostilities caused by Houthi militia attacks continue to escalate resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children. In a joint statement, the agencies said, “In October alone, more than 54 incidents of armed violence affecting civilians in and around Marib were recorded, resulting in over 119 civilian casualties — an increase of more than 230 percent in civilian casualties recorded in a single month for 2021 in the area.” The statement was issued by: ACTED, CARE, Danish Refugee Council, Humanity & Inclusion — Handicap International, INTERSOS, Lutheran World Relief, Medecins du Monde (MdM), Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Polish Humanitarian Action, Save the Children and ZOA. The statement revealed that more than 36,800 people have been displaced in Marib this year, many of them for the third or fourth time. Also, they said that protection risks for people fleeing from frontlines are of critical concern, with existing sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) becoming increasingly overcrowded, which increases severe risks such as gender-based violence. “Of the estimated one million IDPs now in Marib city, 80 percent are women and children,” the statement said, adding that the agencies continue to operate in a challenging environment, with a massive short fall in funds, which is resulting in the current Marib response completely unable to deal with the crisis. There are also a minimal number of medical facilities and seriously depleted medical capacity in Marib city. “In the few remaining available hospitals in the city, priority has been given for medical treatment to military personnel, and civilians have been left with little support,” the agencies noted. In light of the deteriorating situation, and blatant disregard for civilian life, the aid agencies called on all parties to the conflict to reaffirm their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including those related to humanitarian access and the protection of civilians including humanitarian and health workers. They warned that if hostilities continue, there needs to be measures put in place to ensure protection of civilians in Yemen, majority of which have been long overdue. The agencies called on the international community, including the Human Rights Council, UN Security Council and all other bodies with relevant mandates for international peace and security and relevant member states to urgently engage with the parties to the conflict to uphold obligations under International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, refrain from reprisal attacks, account for the particular vulnerabilities of displaced populations and support rapid and unimpeded access of the population in and around Marib to essential items, such as medicine, shelter, food and water.