The United Nations announced on Tuesday that thousands of families across war-torn Yemen have been affected by the rains and floods sweeping the impoverished country since mid-April, resulting in fatalities and destruction of homes and property. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated in a report that "initial reports indicate that around 3,730 families (22,380 people) have been affected by the rains and floods, mostly internally displaced persons."
It added, "Heavy rainfall in recent days has caused damage to infrastructure and destroyed homes and shelters, resulting in casualties." The internationally recognized government stated on Monday that four people had died in flash floods in the historic city of Tarim in the Hadramaut Governorate in central Yemen. The UN reported on Tuesday that three more people had died in other areas.
Footage captured by Agence France-Presse showed streets in the city submerged in water, with damage to mud-brick buildings and vehicles, as well as motorcycles buried under debris and mud. According to the office of the United Nations, the floods caused widespread multi-faceted damage in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Dhale, Lahij, Hadramaut, Marib, and Taiz.
Dozens of people die each year across Yemen due to sudden floods, and severe storms have added to the woes of a country torn apart by conflict. Yemen is experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, with over four million people displaced and two-thirds of its 30 million population relying on aid. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions are on the brink of famine due to the ongoing conflict.
