562,000 people have been impacted by severe flooding and strong windstorms in Yemen in recent weeks, according to a Thursday statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is pleading for $13.3 million in donations due to a lack of resources.
The “unprecedented weather events” have compounded suffering in the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country, which is already grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, said the IOM.
“The scale of the destruction is staggering, and we urgently need additional funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind,” said Matt Huber, the IOM’s acting Yemen mission chief.
The UN agency reports that since late July, heavy flooding and torrential rains have destroyed homes, uprooted thousands of families, and seriously damaged vital infrastructure, including as schools, hospitals, and highways.
According to OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian agency, flash floods in Yemen’s Mahawit province late last month claimed the lives of about 40 people.
It stated that 215 families were forced to relocate as a result of the destruction or damage to dozens of homes.According to UN estimates, since late July, there have been many flash floods throughout Yemen that have claimed another 60 lives and injured hundreds more.
“These rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings and means of survival,” the IOM said.
“Immediate funding is necessary to address the most pressing needs on the ground,” the IOM said, warning that severe weather conditions are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
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