Barran Press
Heavy rains and flash floods have ravaged the western Yemeni district of Malhan, leaving at least 43 people dead, 10 missing, and thousands displaced, according to a humanitarian report released on Sunday.
The report, compiled by the Al-Takaful Wal-Binaa Social Charity Association, monitored by "Barran Press", paints a grim picture of the devastation. Forty homes were completely destroyed, requiring rebuilding, while 250 others were damaged and need urgent repairs. The floods also destroyed four shops, leaving their owners without livelihoods.
The report highlights the plight of 40 families who lost their homes entirely and are now homeless. The association calls for urgent provision of shelter, food, and medical care for these families. An additional 380 families were displaced after their homes were partially damaged, many of them living in areas vulnerable to further flooding. The report urges action to remove these families from danger and provide them with essential aid.
The floods have also impacted the livelihoods of thousands. 8,000 families are now isolated due to road closures, while 12 cows and 148 goats were lost in the floods. The report estimates that the floods completely destroyed the terraced farms belonging to 40,000 people, while another 60,000 suffered partial damage to their farms. The floods also destroyed 10 dams, two mosques, and partially damaged two schools. Fifteen main roads require immediate repairs.
The report specifically mentions the villages of Sha'ay, Shat Sahen, Beit Obeid, Madawar, Beit Al-Mu'allim, Al-Sharafi, Al-Mahras, Wadi Hami, Al-Harb, Hawra, Al-Mahras, Al-Waqous, Qaban, Al-Marbadh, Bani Harish, and one home in Al-A'raf as being severely affected. Residents of Wadi Hami, Habash, Qaban, and Wadi Al-Ruman have been displaced due to the ongoing threat of flooding.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about the situation in Malhan. On Thursday, the UN Population Fund reported that 1,020 families were affected by the floods and at least 42 people were killed or missing. The UN agency attributed the flooding to heavy rains and the collapse of three dams. UN emergency response teams are working to reach those affected and provide aid.
Yemen has been experiencing heavy rains and storms since early August, resulting in dozens of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, particularly those living in displacement camps. The floods have compounded the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, which is facing a devastating war and a severe economic crisis.