Barran Press
A coalition of 48 civil society organizations in Yemen has called on the internationally recognized government to allocate emergency funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support relief efforts for victims of the recent floods and torrential rains that swept across several governorates last week.
In a joint statement, seen by "Barran Press", the organizations expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of the heavy rains, floods, and thunderstorms that struck various regions of Yemen, including Marib, Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah, Lahj, Abyan, and Hadhramout.
The statement highlighted the significant loss of life and property, with the number of fatalities and injuries reaching hundreds and continuing to rise.
The organizations expressed their sympathy for the victims and acknowledged the widespread destruction caused by the disaster, which has disrupted life and crippled essential services in affected areas. They emphasized their commitment to providing support to those affected and working together to fulfill their humanitarian mission.
The organizations urged Yemeni businessmen both domestically and abroad, along with all institutions, companies, the private sector, and all segments of Yemeni society, to provide urgent aid to the victims as a religious and humanitarian duty.
The organizations stated their readiness to provide interventions and coordinate with relevant government agencies.
They also appealed to all UN agencies, international organizations, and humanitarian groups to mobilize additional support and assistance to aid the affected population and mitigate the impact of the disaster, particularly in displacement camps that have been severely impacted.
The organizations urged the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Julien Harneis, to endorse their statement and request urgent funding to respond to the disaster.
A UN report released on August 17th indicated that the number of people affected by the floods and rains in Yemen last week had risen to 180,000, with the expectation that severe weather conditions will persist until September.
According to data included in a recent report distributed by the United Nations Population Fund, the number of affected individuals is double the figure announced last week. The report stated that "exceptionally heavy seasonal rains have caused severe damage and displacement in numerous Yemeni regions, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation resulting from over nine years of conflict."
Since the beginning of August, Yemen has experienced increased heavy rainfall, leading to the deaths of dozens and affecting numerous residents, particularly those living in displacement camps.
On Thursday evening, Lisa Dutton, Director of Funding and Partnerships at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, announced that the number of flood-related deaths in Yemen since the beginning of the year had risen to 98, with an additional 600 injuries.
Yemen suffers from severe infrastructure weaknesses, making the impact of the floods even more devastating for residents who are already struggling with fragile essential services due to the consequences of a civil war that began nearly a decade ago.