The current conflict in the Middle East could displace thousands more people, aid agencies ad NGOs have warned.

The UN’s migration agency IOM has said the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory response could displace thousands of people and negatively impact the situations of people already displaced.

IOM Director General Amy Pope said: “Military escalation would force more families from their homes and hit civilians hard”.

“Millions are already displaced in the region. IOM is monitoring the situation and on standby to provide lifesaving assistance where feasible. De-escalation is a humanitarian necessity.” 

Across the Middle East region, more than 16 million people are already living in internal displacement due to conflict, violence and disasters, according to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix.

Ms Pope said he figures underscored the fragility of the region and the risks of further instability.

She called on the international community to act immediately to prevent further human suffering.

“As tensions escalate in the Islamic Republic of Iran and across the Middle East region and beyond, already fragile displacement situations could deteriorate further,” Ms Pope said.

She said IOM’s operational team was on the ground and closely monitoring displacement developments in Iran and across the region.

“The team is on standby to respond, ready to scale up preparedness and operational capacity to deliver lifesaving assistance and protection if needs arise,” she said.

The UN’s refugee agency UNHCR said it was “deeply concerned” about the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and its impact on civilians and further displacement in the region.

“Many affected countries already host millions of refugees and internally displaced people. Further violence risks overwhelming humanitarian capacities and placing additional pressure on host communities,” the agency said.

“We echo the UN Secretary-General’s urgent call for dialogue and de-escalation, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians and full adherence to international law.”

IOM and UNHCR has joined the United Nations Secretary-General in calling for restraint and urgent de-escalation to prevent further humanitarian consequences.

“Civilians, including migrants and displaced people, must be protected at all times, and international humanitarian law must be fully respected,” IOM said, in a statement.

“IOM remains in close coordination with national authorities, UN partners and humanitarian actors, and stands ready to respond rapidly as the situation evolves.”

Meanwhile, the UN has called on donors to scale up funding, including critical support in key countries affected by funding cuts.