Alfao: Yemen floods have caused severe damage to agricultural lands and livestock, threatening dire consequences for food security

A recent UN report revealed severe damage to agricultural lands and livestock in Yemen, as a result of the floods that hit the country last August, amid fears of dire consequences for food security and the economy in general.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) said in a recent report that floods caused by heavy rains in Yemen in August 2024 “caused severe damage to farming communities in the western highlands and lowlands. Agriculture, as a vital source of livelihoods in Yemen, faces severe consequences for food security and the economy in general due to the damage caused by the floods.”

She stated that the floods damaged 98,726 hectares of agricultural land, including herbal crops, tree crops, orchards, and palm trees, in the governorates of (Hodeidah, Amran, Hajjah, Marib, Al Jawf, Saada, Sana'a, Al Bayda, the Capital Secretariat, Shabwa, Lahj, Abyan, Dhamar, Taiz, Ad Dali', Al Mahwit, Raymah, and Ibb).

FAO noted that heavy rains and subsequent flash floods inundated valleys and drainage systems, causing extensive damage to agricultural lands, while “floodwaters remained stagnant in low-lying areas of Al Hudaydah, Hajjah and Amran governorates, further submerging and destroying crops.”

The report indicated that the total area affected by floods throughout the country amounted to 341,296 hectares, most of which were in the governorates of Hodeidah and Al Jawf, with 103,253 hectares and 94,365 hectares (respectively), followed by Marib and Amran. As for the settled areas (urban and rural), they affected 217 hectares.

The report indicated that affected communities are suffering crop losses of up to 12%. Al Hudaydah and Hajjah governorates bore the brunt of this agricultural devastation, with this widespread damage having immediate and significant consequences for farming families, including a sharp decline in food supplies and a significant loss of income.

Regarding the impacts on livestock, the report revealed that the floods had a major impact on livestock, with farmers reporting significant losses, with at least 279,400 livestock (175,341 sheep and 104,059 goats) affected by the floods, with the governorates of Hodeidah, Hajjah and Al Jawf being the most affected.

In addition to direct losses, the remaining animals face increasing risks due to deteriorating health conditions and limited access to veterinary services, the report added.

The report expected that these impacts on livestock would be far-reaching, affecting household economies and the availability of dairy and meat products in local markets, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support affected livestock owners and maintain food security in the country.

It also caused extensive damage to irrigation infrastructure, including irrigation canals, water storage facilities, pumps and wells, hampering recovery efforts.

Damage to irrigation infrastructure not only affects current agricultural productivity, but also threatens future crops, potentially leading to long-term food security problems in affected areas.

Economic impact and food security

The report indicates that the widespread floods that hit the country dealt a severe blow to Yemen's agricultural sector, which was already weak due to years of conflict and economic instability.

He explained that the severe damage to crops and livestock is expected to lead to higher food prices, increasing the burden on household budgets across the country, stressing that the impact of these losses is particularly worrying given the critical role this sector plays in Yemen’s economy and food security.

“This will exacerbate food insecurity, especially in rural areas where access to food is already limited. The situation is expected to contribute to rising malnutrition rates, with children and vulnerable populations most at risk,” he added.

The report stressed that the severe damage to the agricultural sector not only poses an immediate threat to food availability but also poses long-term challenges to food security and economic stability in Yemen, requiring urgent interventions to support affected farmers, restore agricultural productivity, and mitigate the looming food crisis.

Recommendations

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) mentioned in its report a number of the most important needs that it said were urgent and pressing for agricultural communities affected by the floods, including: (emergency food aid, livestock assistance, rehabilitation of the irrigation system, and support for agricultural inputs).

The organization also made recommendations to enhance recovery and build resilience in the agricultural sector in Yemen, recommending the following strategic actions:

- Field assessments/studies/surveys: to provide accurate on-the-ground data, useful for estimating damages and economic losses, and to determine the impact assessment of floods on agricultural livelihoods.

- Rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure: Focus on repairing and upgrading damaged irrigation systems, terraces and water storage.

- Strengthening early warning systems: Improving flood forecasting and early warning mechanisms to better prepare farmers and reduce the impact of future flood events.

Implementing proactive actions: Developing and implementing proactive action plans to reduce the impact of risks on food security and agricultural livelihoods, and providing communities with the tools and knowledge to prepare for, absorb and recover from crises more effectively and efficiently.

- Promoting sustainable agricultural practices: Encouraging the adoption of flood-resistant agricultural technologies, including crops and improved water management strategies, and providing training and support to implement these practices to mitigate their impacts in the future.

Financial assistance programmes: Providing targeted cash assistance or agricultural grants to help farming families recover from losses, and supporting farmers to invest in sustainable and resilient agricultural practices to achieve long-term food security.