Barran Press
The United Nations has reported extensive damage to vital sectors in Yemen, including agriculture and livestock, caused by floods that ravaged the country last month.
According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the impact of recent floods on Yemen's agricultural sector, the heavy rains experienced in August caused significant damage to farming communities in the western highlands and lowlands. The report estimates that approximately 100,000 hectares of agricultural land and 279,000 livestock were affected.
The UN report highlights that the agriculture sector, a vital source of livelihood in Yemen, faces severe consequences for food security and the overall economy due to the damage caused by the floods.
The report states that the area affected by the floods totaled 341,296 hectares, with the impact extending to urban and rural areas, affecting settlements and causing damage to 217 hectares.
The UN organization confirmed that 210,000 people were directly affected, with 98,726 hectares of agricultural land damaged, including herbaceous crops, tree crops, orchards, and palm trees. The livestock sector also suffered losses, with 279,400 sheep and goats affected.
Regarding irrigation infrastructure, the UN report highlighted severe damage to irrigation canals and water storage facilities, hindering recovery efforts. The report emphasized the impact on food security, anticipating that crop losses and reduced agricultural income will exacerbate existing food insecurity.
Throughout August, Yemen experienced increased rainfall, leading to the deaths of approximately 190 people and injuries to hundreds more due to flash floods and accompanying thunderstorms, particularly affecting those living in displacement camps, according to government figures and humanitarian reports.