Written By Lisa Murimi
Severe flooding in Yemen has claimed at least 57 lives and displaced thousands, according to the UN.
Heavy rains, which began in late June and intensified in early August, have affected over 34,000 families and exacerbated the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis, worsened by a decade-long civil conflict.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that flooding has severely impacted regions including Hudaydah, Hajjah, Taiz, and Marib.
Hudaydah has been particularly hard hit, with more than 6,000 families displaced and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Roads in the affected areas remain closed, complicating relief efforts.
Matt Huber, acting chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, described the disaster’s scale as overwhelming, highlighting the enormous humanitarian needs.
The IOM is increasing its emergency operations in response.
Local media have reported additional casualties, including five deaths and ten injuries in Marib.
Some outlets, like Al-Masdar Online, have criticized Houthi rebels for their lack of response to the destruction in Hudaydah, an area under their control.
Yemen’s ongoing conflict, which intensified in 2015, has further complicated relief and recovery efforts.
