Yemen – UN Says Thousands Hit by Floods and Heavy Rain in Western Areas

by in Asia, News

Heavy rain has affected wide areas of western Yemen over recent weeks according to a UN report of 19 August, 2019.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that Al Hudaydah and Al Mahwit have suffered the most damage – particularly in Az Zaydiyah, Al Hali, Al Khawkhah and Al Qanawis districts in Al Hudaydah and Milhan District in Al Mahwit, where several people died after flash flooding and a mudslide caused buildings to collapse on 07 August 2019.

In some areas floodwaters have polluted safe drinking water sources and caused significant damage to the water networks resulting in an increased need for water trucking assistance as well as chlorine tablets and water containers, UNOCHA reported. Overflowing wastewater and stagnant water will also increase the risk of waterborne or vectorborne diseases in these areas, including cholera.

According to the UN report, heavy rains and flooding affected 406 families in Milhan District in Al Mahwit governorate and 466 families in Sana’a governorate. The severe weather also left 7,922 households in need of food aid in Al Hudaydah governorate.

Floods and rains have affected areas housing internally displaced persons (IDPs). UNOCHA said:“IDPs and host communities in these areas saw their shelters, houses, livestock and livelihoods washed away in the floods. Overall, IDP sites have been most impacted, forcing many to seek shelter in public buildings, including schools, or with relatives.”

In Sana’a Governorate, heavy rain caused flooding in parts of the capital city from round 12 August. UNOCHA reported that floods also damaged shelters in IDP sites in Hamdan and Bani Hushaysh districts.

Several IDP sites in Al Jawf, Al Mahwit, Amran, Dhamar, Ibb, Hajjah, Al Hudaydah and Taizz governorates also suffered damage. Flash floods were also reported within the Red Sea Coast area and Taizz Governorate.

The UN added that “Partners are carrying out assessments to determine overall needs and targeted response to affected families.”

In June this year, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Aden, where at least 3 people died.

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