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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that torrential rains and widespread flooding across 12 governorates in Yemen in recent weeks have affected more than 80,000 people, leaving many in urgent need of emergency assistance.
Hajjah governorate in north-west Yemen, which is host to many internally displaced people (IDPs) is among the worst affected, with more than 50,000 people reported to be in need of help, UNHCR said in a statement published on its website on Monday.
Many are people living in emergency shelters and informal settlements. Their tents and tarpaulins have been damaged by rains, exposing them to homelessness and associated protection risks, including risks related to the lack of privacy and potential exploitation and abuse.
Other affected governorates include Taiz, Ibb, Raymah, Dhamar, Al Bayda, Marib, Al Jawf, Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Hadramaut.
According to the statement, the floods have also impacted health clinics, pharmaceutical supplies, food stocks, schools, and sanitation facilities� increasing health risks. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and humanitarian partners are concerned that the flooding may exacerbate the risks and spread of diseases, including cholera. More than 364,000 suspected cases of cholera and 639 deaths have been reported across Yemen since the beginning of the year by WHO � nearing the total for all of 2018.
UNHCR teams together with other humanitarian partners and local authorities have already begun conducting assessments in IDP hosting sites in Aden, Lahj, Hadramaut, Abyan and Hajjah, said the UN Refugee Agency.
Among main needs identified so far are emergency shelter, food, water and sanitation, particularly for those displaced and living in informal settlements.
As a preliminary step, UNHCR is providing 745 emergency shelter kits, as well as household assistance and materials to help repair damaged shelters in Lahj, Hadramaut and Aden, which will help more than 5,200 people. Further needs are expected to be known once assessments, including protection assessments, are completed.
Source: International Islamic News Agency