UN: More than 560,000 affected by Yemen floods amid violent weather and transmitted diseases

The International Organization for Migration announced today, Thursday, that more than 560,000 people have been affected by floods in Yemen since the beginning of last August, and launched an urgent appeal to provide more than $13 million to provide relief to those affected.

In recent months, heavy rains and floods have destroyed homes, displaced thousands of families and severely damaged essential infrastructure, such as health centres, schools and roads, the UN agency said in a statement titled “Urgent Appeal.”

The statement added that in many governorates, including Ibb, Sana'a, Marib, Hodeidah and Taiz, thousands of people have become without shelter, clean water or access to basic services, and dozens have lost their lives so far.

“Yemen is facing another devastating chapter in its ongoing crisis, exacerbated by conflict and extreme weather events,” said Matt Hooper, IOM Acting Chief of Mission in Yemen.

“IOM teams are on the ground, working around the clock to provide urgent relief to families affected by this disaster. However, the scale of the devastation is vast, and we urgently need additional funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. We must act immediately to prevent further losses and alleviate the suffering of those affected,” he added.

The statement explained that these storms came at a time when the country is suffering from a cholera epidemic and increasing food insecurity, which has exacerbated the vulnerability of displaced families and exhausted health systems. With the expected continuation of harsh weather conditions, more families are at risk of displacement and exposure to disease outbreaks due to damage to water and health infrastructure.