More than 420,000 affected by Yemen floods

Heavy rains and torrential floods that hit Yemen during the period between April and August 2024 have directly affected more than 420,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes, temporary shelters for the displaced, and infrastructure, a new report revealed on Monday.

“About 63,195 families, consisting of about 424,123 people, were directly affected by the heavy rains and severe floods that hit 19 Yemeni governorates, during the period from April to August 19,” the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a brief report on the flood disaster.

The report added that the heavy rains, which intensified due to Yemen’s complex and changing climate have “led to widespread flooding in several governorates, with Al Hudaydah, Hajjah, Marib, Al Jawf and Dhamar being the most affected governorates.”

The IFRC indicated that the floods in Yemen have caused severe damage to the infrastructure and destroyed more than 17,093 homes and shelters for the displaced as well as 22 schools.

“More than 74 health facilities have also been affected, which are currently facing a severe shortage of basic supplies, which are essential to manage the increase in cases of waterborne diseases and other health problems associated with the floods,” it added.

According to the report, this disaster has contaminated drinking water supplies, increasing the threat of the spread of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea, and has also destroyed agricultural lands and livestock, which has severely affected food security in the affected areas.

In addition, the landmines that were swept away by the floods and the damage to the roads are “complicating access and increasing risks for both affected communities and relief workers.”

READ: Yemen: Death toll from floods in Dhamar province rises to 30