UN: Floods and storms devastate Yemen, exacerbate horrific humanitarian catastrophe

The International Organization for Migration said that the floods and storms witnessed by Yemen are destroying the country and exacerbating the horrific humanitarian crisis.

Floods that began in late June and intensified into early August have killed at least 57 people and affected more than 34,000 families, with many missing or injured, as heavy rains devastated areas including Hodeidah, Taiz and Marib, according to an update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In response to the catastrophic floods that have wreaked havoc across Yemen, the organization is scaling up emergency operations to support thousands of families affected by the torrential rains, the organization said in a statement .

“The scale of this disaster is enormous and the humanitarian needs are immense,” said Matt Hooper, IOM’s acting Chief of Mission in Yemen. “Our teams on the ground are working tirelessly to provide life-saving assistance to those in need, but our resources are limited.”

“Without significant and sustained support from donors and international partners, the ability to meet the needs of those affected will remain extremely limited,” he added.

serious damage

The organization indicated that Al Hudaydah Governorate is one of the most affected areas (under Houthi control), the floods displaced more than 6,000 families and caused severe damage to infrastructure, buried wells, washed away agricultural land and caused widespread destruction of homes and basic public services. Roads have also been closed, and access to affected areas remains difficult, further complicating relief efforts.

In the districts of Hays, Al Mokha and Al Khawkhah (government-controlled areas), the organization says the situation remains dire. Flooding has reportedly affected more than 5,800 families, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage. The floods have also destroyed crops and vital infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems, severely impacting the local economy and access to basic services.

She added that the floods in Hays have washed landmines into new areas, complicating access and increasing risks for those trying to reach communities in need.

In Marib (under government control), the organization confirmed that recent storms and flooding have caused extensive damage, including broken electricity poles and widespread power outages, and severely impacted shelters. Initial assessments reveal that in 21 IOM-managed displacement sites, 600 shelters have been completely damaged and 2,800 partially damaged, affecting more than 20,000 people. Tragically, four deaths and several injuries have been reported, with 12 people referred to IOM-supported hospitals in Marib city for urgent medical care.

The organization warned that the floods raised serious health concerns, noting that “the combination of stagnant water and poor sanitation creates a fertile environment for mosquitoes to breed, which can lead to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Contaminated water sources may exacerbate the risk of waterborne diseases and the current cholera epidemic, exacerbating the health crisis in an already vulnerable community.”

Urgent response

IOM announced the provision of Rapid Response Mechanism assistance to 313 families in Hays and Al Khawkhah districts, the distribution of shelter materials to 83 families in Al Khawkhah and 3,000 hygiene kits as part of the flood response on the west coast. Teams are also conducting assessments in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, protection, multi-purpose cash assistance, shelter and non-food items to guide ongoing and future response efforts.

In Marib, the organization said its teams were on the ground to conduct initial assessments, activate emergency response committees, restore vital infrastructure, such as water and sanitation systems, and deploy teams to open drainage channels and build dams to prevent further damage.

IOM is working closely with local authorities, humanitarian partners and clusters to ensure a comprehensive and effective response. The organization is preparing to conduct further assessments as the rains continue, with contingency plans in place to mobilize additional resources as needed. In addition, IOM is working to enhance the timely delivery of assistance, with a focus on integrating health, shelter and protection services into the response to address immediate and longer-term needs.

Appeal for support

The organization confirmed in its statement, "The devastation caused by floods and storms has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where millions are suffering from the effects of prolonged conflict, displacement and poverty.

“The situation of internally displaced people, who were already living in precarious conditions, has become even more dire as the destruction of shelters and limited access to basic services has hampered their recovery,” she added.

“With more rain and wind expected in the coming days, the severity of the crisis is increasing,” she continued, calling on the international community to urgently increase support significantly to meet the massive needs on the ground.