Yemen flooding crisis deepens as Cholera spreads, the IRC launches emergency response

Aden, Yemen, September 23, 2024 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning of a deepening humanitarian disaster in Yemen as ongoing floods, which began in March and intensified in July and August, continue to devastate multiple governorates. The floods have displaced tens of thousands of families, destroyed vital infrastructure, and fueled the rapid spread of cholera.

Floods have severely impacted the governorates of Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, Marib, Sa'dah, and Taiz, with nearly 268,000 individuals (38,285 families) affected as of last month, according to OCHAreports. The heavy rains, expected to persist into September, have caused widespread destruction of homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure, further limiting access to food - an issue that more than 17 million Yemenis are already struggling with due to conflict, economic decline, and rising food prices, all exacerbated by the climate crisis. In Taiz alone, an estimated 70 to 100% of agricultural land has been destroyed. While rainfall has stopped in September, the risk of additional flash floods remains high due to already saturated ground and poor drainage systems.

Isaiah Ogolla, IRC's Acting Country Director in Yemen, says,

"Yemen is facing a crisis on multiple fronts-ongoing conflict, severe flooding, and now a cholera outbreak that has been rapidly spreading across several governorates. People's lives are at immediate risk, and the destruction of water and sanitation facilities is likely to worsen the spread of the disease.

"In response, the IRC is launching emergency operations in the hardest-hit districts of Hajjah, Hodeidah, Al-Mahwit and Taiz, providing cash assistance to approximately 2,000 affected households. The initial phase will focus on addressing immediate needs, with further assessments planned to guide potential interventions in water and sanitation, such as establishing water points and emergency latrines."

The IRC and its partners have conducted assessments across the affected areas, revealing that nearly 9,600 people have been displaced due to the floods in Taiz, Hajjah, and Al Hodeidah. The floodwaters have severely damaged water, sanitation, and health infrastructure, increasing the risk of further cholera outbreaks across these regions.

The cholera outbreak, which has escalated since March 2024, has seen over 163,000 suspected cases nationwide. The northern regions have recorded 132,049 suspected cases and 493 deaths, while the south has seen 31,138 suspected cases and 26 deaths. The ongoing destruction of WASH infrastructure due to the flooding is likely to further accelerate the spread of the disease.

The flooding and cholera outbreaks have left Yemen in critical need of emergency shelter, cash assistance, food, non-food items, water and sanitation services, protection, and medical supplies. Women and girls, especially displaced female-headed households, face heightened protection risks, accounting for over 22% of those receiving emergency relief.

The IRC urgently calls on the international community to scale up financial and logistical support to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by this disaster. Without timely action, the situation in Yemen will continue to deteriorate, putting more lives at risk.