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14-08-2024
UNITED NATIONS/ SANA’A: Flooding in Yemen has left at least 57 people dead and thousands displaced, the UN has said.
More than 34,000 families were affected by the heavy rains, which began in late June and intensified in early August, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA).
It has worsened the country’s “already dire humanitarian situation” as millions grapple with the impact of a civil conflict that began nearly 10 years ago, the UN body added.
“The magnitude of this disaster is overwhelming, and the humanitarian needs are enormous,” said Matt Huber, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s acting chief of mission in Yemen.
Regions affected by the flooding include Hudaydah, Hajjah, Taiz and Marib.
Hudaydah is among the hardest hit areas. Flooding there has displaced more than 6,000 families and caused widespread destruction to homes and essential services, according to the UN.
Roads were closed and access to affected areas remained challenging, the body added.
The IOM says it is ramping up emergency operations in the country.
Domestic media has also been reporting on the devastation caused by the heavy rains in the country.
Citing a body in charge of displacement camps in the province, local and privately-owned news channel Belqees TV said five people had died and 10 others injured in Marib.
Meanwhile, independent website Al-Masdar Online accused the country’s Houthi rebels of staying silent on the destruction in areas under their control in the Hudaydah province.
The Houthis are an Iranian-backed rebel group which considers Israel an enemy.
Al-Masdar Online said the “biggest disaster” had occurred in the districts of Hudaydah province.
Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in 2015, when the Houthis seized control of large parts of the country and a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states launched a military operation to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s rule.
The floods began in late June and intensified through early August. At least 57 people were killed and over 34,000 families impacted, as torrential rains devastated Hudaydah, Taiz, Marib and other regions, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office.
The crisis is unfolding amid the ongoing war between Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels, which began a decade ago.
The devastation caused by the floods and windstorms has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, where millions are grappling with the impacts of the prolonged conflict as well as displacement and poverty.
The situation for internally displaced persons has become even more critical as the destruction of shelters, coupled with limited access to essential services, further hampers their recovery.
Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission, said the magnitude of the disaster is overwhelming and needs are enormous.
“Our teams are on the ground, working tirelessly to provide life-saving assistance to those in need, but the resources at our disposal are limited,” he said.
“Without significant and sustained support from international donors and partners, the ability to meet the needs of those affected will remain severely limited.” (Int’l News Desk)
