61 people dead, thousands displaced, as torrential rains sweep through Yemen

Severe flooding and high winds have devastated parts of Yemen, killing at least 61 people since late last month and displacing thousands, according to the UN. The central province of Marib was particularly hard-hit, with four deaths reported on Sunday alone as torrential rains battered the tents of internally displaced people (IDPs).

The catastrophic weather has wreaked havoc across the country, affecting more than 34,000 families and worsening Yemen’s already dire humanitarian crisis. In Marib, where over two million IDPs have sought refuge from the ongoing war, high winds flattened parts of the Jaw Al-Naseem camp, leaving many injured.

Regions such as Hudaydah, Hajjah, Taiz, and Saada have also seen extensive damage. In Hudaydah alone, over 6,000 families were displaced, with homes and essential services destroyed. The flooding has further complicated access to affected areas, hampering relief efforts.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), coordinated by UNFPA and UNICEF, is providing life-saving aid to some of the most vulnerable individuals, but resources are overstretched.

“The situation in the flooded areas is devastating. UNICEF and partners are on the ground providing urgently needed support to those impacted. The role of the Rapid Response Teams is critical in times of distress such as this one,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative to Yemen.

Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA representative to Yemen, said: “Our RRM teams are working round the clock to provide immediate relief to affected families, but with rising needs and severe weather conditions forecasted, the coming weeks and months will be critical to ensuring affected families can pick themselves up and, at the very least, recover their lives.”