Barran Press
A recent government report revealed the devastating impact of heavy rains and floods on the already dire situation of displaced families in Marib Governorate, northeast Yemen. The report, released by the Executive Unit for the Management of IDP Camps in Marib, highlighted the catastrophic consequences of the August 11th downpour, which claimed the lives of eight displaced individuals, including four women, a child, and three men.
The report further indicated that 34 individuals sustained injuries due to the severe weather conditions. The floods wreaked havoc on the shelters of displaced families, affecting 111 camps and locations. A staggering 3,673 families experienced complete destruction of their homes, while 8,689 families suffered partial damage.
The report also documented the impact on public facilities, with seven schools sustaining complete damage and 15 others experiencing partial destruction. Three healthcare facilities were also affected.
The city of Marib bore the brunt of the devastation, with 2,765 families experiencing complete loss of their homes and 4,870 families facing partial damage. Marib Al-Wadi followed closely with 680 families suffering complete destruction and 2,610 families experiencing partial damage. Harib District recorded 158 families with complete loss of shelter and 889 families with partial damage.
The report noted that 70 families in Rghwan District suffered complete loss of their homes, while 320 families sustained partial damage.
The floods caused significant damage to temporary and transitional shelters, as well as to essential supplies like food and shelter materials. The report emphasized that the damage extended beyond shelter, impacting essential services like electricity, water, and healthcare.
The Executive Unit described the situation in Marib as a catastrophe demanding immediate action and mobilization of all resources to address the devastating consequences of the floods.
Despite the tireless efforts of local authorities and humanitarian partners, the report highlighted the dire living conditions and complex challenges faced by many displaced families in the camps. The report indicated that only 12% of the total needs across all sectors have been addressed, highlighting a significant gap requiring urgent attention to alleviate the suffering of affected families.
The heavy rains and thunderstorms that swept through Marib last Sunday caused widespread damage to IDP camps and public services. The Executive Unit for the Management of IDP Camps in Marib reported that the severe weather conditions resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to ten others, including children and women.
The report further stated that the floods caused by the heavy rains inundated IDP camps, affecting the shelters of 7,179 displaced families. Of these, 2,973 shelters were completely destroyed, and 4,206 shelters suffered partial damage across various camps in the governorate.
According to the Executive Unit's annual report for 2023, 63,623 displaced families, comprising 458,085 individuals, reside in 204 camps and displacement sites in Marib Governorate. This represents a total of 2,134,497 displaced persons in the governorate.