New York, Sept. 19 (SANA)The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said around 3,000 Yemenis have arrived in Djibouti in less than a week as escalating violence in Yemen forces more families to flee the country.

“Nearly 3,000 people have arrived in Djibouti in less than a week, making the dangerous sea crossing across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as escalating violence forces more families to flee Yemen,” UNHCR said, citing its representative in Djibouti Sandrine Desamours.

The agency said refugees continue to arrive by boat through Obock, Khor Angar, Moulhoule and Godoria after difficult journeys in small vessels. It added that more than half of those crossing the sea are women and children.

UNHCRwarned that the growing arrivals are putting pressure on shelter, water, sanitation, health care and education services in Djibouti, as authorities and aid partners prepare for a possible increase in the number of refugees.

The agency said the escalation of fighting inside Yemen has displaced more than 100,000 people, while thousands more have sought safety across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Djibouti.