Barran Press
The human rights organization SAM (Society for Advocacy and Monitoring) has described the recent floods in the Tihama region of Yemen's Hodeidah governorate as "one of the most devastating disasters in the country," demanding urgent humanitarian intervention.
Heavy rains and flash floods have caused significant loss of life, destruction of homes, and disruption to livelihoods in the region, according to a statement released by SAM on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 and seen by "Barran Press".
The organization highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in several areas, including Bilad Al-Ruqood, Zabid district, and Al-Zain village in Al-Qanaus district, which were severely affected by the devastating floods.
"Bodies have been found at the edges of valleys, raising serious concerns about missing persons," the statement said, adding that preliminary estimates indicate a large number of missing women and children.
In the Al-Durihemi district, SAM reported that a passenger vehicle was swept away by the floodwaters, with the fate of the passengers still unknown. Numerous homes have been damaged, including one that collapsed on a family, resulting in the death of the father and mother. In Al-Sahl village, two women were swept away by the floods, and their fate remains unknown.
The organization also reported significant losses in livestock, including cattle, poultry, and bees, as well as extensive damage to farms. Areas like Al-Mansouriyah and Beit Al-Faqih were also affected, while villages in Hays and Al-Khawkhah experienced floods that swept away many people.
SAM emphasized that this disaster is not merely a passing event but a reflection of the structural weaknesses faced by citizens in the Tihama region, which the ongoing conflict has heavily impacted. The organization called for rehabilitating affected areas and developing long-term plans to rebuild infrastructure and improve livelihoods.
The organization urged government authorities, international organizations, and coalition countries to act urgently to ensure the provision of necessary relief supplies, provide protection for those affected, and take immediate steps to secure assistance. SAM emphasized that efforts should include the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, focusing on creating safe and sustainable environments.
The organization also called upon business leaders to join forces and provide support and assistance to victims during this difficult time.
Last Wednesday, the Tihama plain (western Yemen), encompassing the Hodeidah governorate and parts of Taiz and other provinces, experienced heavy rains and floods, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The response to the disaster has been hampered by inadequate relief efforts, a lack of assistance to affected individuals, and a shortage of reliable statistics to gauge the full extent of the catastrophe.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government has issued appeals for aid to the coastal Tihama region (western Yemen), which has suffered heavy losses of life and property due to floods following heavy rains that lasted for over 10 hours.
Estimates suggest that at least 45 people have died, over 100 others have been reported missing, and more than 500 homes have been destroyed. Thousands of families have been displaced after their homes were damaged or out of fear of renewed rainfall.
Yemen suffers from severe infrastructure weaknesses, exacerbating the impact of the floods and adding to the misery of residents already struggling with fragile essential services due to the consequences of a civil war that began nearly 10 years ago.