More than half a million people severely affected by unprecedented floods and storms in Yemen
“Yemen is facing another devastating chapter in its long-running crisis, exacerbated by the intersection of conflict and extreme weather events.,” Matt Huber emphasized, IOM Acting Head of Mission of Yemen.
The storms come as the country is grappling with a cholera outbreak and growing food insecurity, exacerbating the vulnerability of displaced families and an overburdened health system.
As severe weather conditions are expected to continue, many households are at risk of displacement and disease outbreaks due to damaged water supplies and health infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s internationally recognized government has been battling Houthi rebels for more than a decade, with both sides vying for control of the country.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and although fighting has subsided, peace talks aimed at finding a lasting solution continue. bring little progress.
Vital relief aid is distributed in Al Hazm in Al Jawf Governorate, Yemen following deadly floods.
Entire communities ‘wiped out’
Across many provinces, thousands of people have been left without shelter, clean water or access to basic services, and many lives have been lost.
One of the worst affected areas is Ma’rib Governorate, northeast of the capital Sana’a, where strong winds since August 11 have caused severe damage to 73 displacement sites and affected more than 21,000 households. Public services, including the electricity grid, have been severely affected, exacerbating the crisis in one of Yemen’s most vulnerable regions.
Meanwhile, more than 15,000 families in Al Hudaydah and 11,000 families in Ta’iz are in dire need of urgent assistance as floodwaters have damaged shelters, roads, water sources and medical facilities there since early August.
“These rains not only caused unfortunate casualties but also swept away all the properties and means of survival of the community,” IOM stressed.
Urgent support needed amid ‘horrific’ devastation
In response to severe flooding and severe storms, IOM launched a Appeal for $13.3 million to provide emergency life-saving assistance.
While IOM is aiming to support 350,000 people with shelter, non-food items (NFI), cash interventions, health, camp management, water, sanitation and hygiene, existing resources are still insufficient to meet the enormous needs.
“The scale of the devastation is enormous and we urgently need more funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind,” said the head of IOM Yemen.
“We must act immediately to prevent further loss of life and alleviate suffering for those affected,” he added.
The organization is urgently calling on the international community to support this appeal to continue providing life-saving aid and address the urgent needs of those affected.
