The UN said on Sunday that almost 40000 people have been displaced from Abyan province in south Yemen where fierce battles have been taking place between the army and Islamists for weeks.

On Saturday, acting president Hadi ordered to form a panel to oversee the affairs of the displaced people who fled to other southern cities including Aden.

These thousands of internally displaced persons need help including shelter, foodstuffs and medications as there were also refugees inside the capital Sana'a due to the battles between the army and the tribesmen loyal of the Hashid sheikh Sadeq Al-Ahmer, the UNHCR said.

All families in Zunjbar, Abyan's capital, were evacuated after Islamists consolidated their control over it and other cities, but insecurity amid the continuous battles stands as a roadblock to reach out other people, the UN said.

Local and international humanitarian agencies are working hard to help these refugees, most of whom fled to Aden, through providing them with shelter, water and foodstuffs as well as other necessary needs.

According to the UNHCR, almost 10000 people fled Al-Hasaba and nearby districts which turned into battlefields inside the capital.