Yemen – In response to the catastrophic flooding that has wreaked havoc across Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is ramping up its emergency operations to support the thousands of families who have been affected by the relentless rains. The floods that began in late June and intensified through early August have claimed at least 57 lives and affected over 34,000 families, with many missing or injured, as torrential downpours devastated regions including Hodeidah, Ta’iz, and Ma’rib, according to OCHA’s Flood Flash Update.  

“The magnitude of this disaster is overwhelming, and the humanitarian needs are enormous,” said Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission. “Our teams are on the ground, working tirelessly to provide life-saving assistance to those in need, but the resources at our disposal are limited. Without significant and sustained support from international donors and partners, the ability to meet the needs of those affected will remain severely limited.” 

In Al Hodeidah Governorate, one of the hardest-hit areas, the floods have displaced over 6,000 families and caused severe infrastructure damage. The floods have buried wells, washed away farmlands, and caused widespread destruction of homes and essential public services. Roads have been closed, and access to affected areas remains challenging, further complicating relief efforts. 

In the districts of Hays, Mokha, and Al Khokha, the situation is equally dire. Reports indicate that floods have impacted more than 5,800 families, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage. The floods have destroyed crops and critical infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems, severely affecting the local economy and access to essential services. In Hays, the flooding has swept land mines into new areas, complicating access and increasing risks for those trying to reach communities in need.

To date, IOM has provided Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) assistance to 313 families in Hays and Al Khokha districts, and distributed shelter materials to 83 households in Al Khokha and 3,000 hygiene kits as part of the flood response on the West Coast. Teams are also conducting assessments in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Protection, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), and Shelter/Non-Food Items (SNFI) to guide ongoing and future response efforts.

In Ma’rib, recent windstorms and floods have caused extensive damage, including broken electrical poles, widespread power outages, and severe impacts on shelters. Preliminary assessments reveal that in the 21 IOM-managed displacement sites, 600 shelters were fully damaged, and 2,800 were partially damaged, affecting over 20,000 people. Tragically, four deaths and several injuries have been reported, with 12 individuals referred to IOM-supported hospitals in Ma’rib city for urgent medical care. 

The flooding has also raised serious health concerns. The combination of stagnant water and poor sanitation conditions is creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which could lead to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Contaminated water sources may exacerbate the risk of waterborne diseases and current cholera epidemic, compounding the health crisis in an already vulnerable population. 

In response, IOM’s teams have been on the ground conducting initial assessments, activating emergency response committees, restoring critical infrastructure, such as water and sanitation systems, and deploying teams to open channels for water discharge and construct embankments to prevent further damage. Despite these efforts, the scale of the disaster has exposed critical gaps in resources, particularly among SNFI partners, due to low contingency stocks. 

IOM is closely coordinating with local authorities, humanitarian partners, and clusters to ensure a comprehensive and effective response. The Organization is also preparing for further assessments as the rains persist, with contingency plans in place to mobilize additional resources as needed. In addition, IOM is working to strengthen the timely delivery of aid, while focusing on integrating health, shelter, and protection services into the response to address both immediate and long-term needs. 

The devastation from the floods and windstorms has worsened Yemen’s already dire humanitarian crisis, where millions are grappling with the impacts of prolonged conflict, displacement, and poverty. The situation for internally displaced persons, already living in precarious conditions, has become even more critical as the destruction of shelters and limited access to essential services further impedes their recovery.  

With more rain and wind expected in the coming days, the urgency of the crisis is heightened. IOM urgently calls on the international community to significantly increase support to address the overwhelming needs on the ground. 

For more information, please contact: 

Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer: mchiriac@iom.int   
IOM Yemen’s Communications Team: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int