IOM steps up response as floods, storms devastate Yemen

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it’s scaling up its emergency response to support thousands of families affected by the ongoing heavy rains in Yemen

Catastrophic floods have devastated large areas of the country.

The floods began in late June and intensified through early August, killing at least 57 people and affecting more than 34,000 families, with many more missing or injured, as the heavy rains devastated areas such as Al Hudaydah, Taiz and Marib, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) Emergency Floods Report .

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

In Al Hudaydah Governorate, one of the worst-affected areas, floods have displaced more than 6,000 families and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Wells have been buried, farmland washed away, homes destroyed and essential public services damaged. Roads have been closed and access to affected areas remains difficult, further complicating relief efforts .

In Hays, Al Mokha and Al Khawkhah districts, the situation remains dire. Flooding has reportedly affected more than 5,800 families, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage. The floods have also destroyed crops and vital infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems, severely impacting the local economy and access to basic services. In Hays, flooding has swept landmines into new areas, complicating access and increasing risks for those trying to reach communities in need .

To date, IOM has provided assistance through the Rapid Response Mechanism to 313 families in Hays and Al Khawkhah districts, and distributed shelter materials to 83 families in Al Khawkhah. Teams are also conducting assessments in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, protection, multi-purpose cash assistance and shelter/non-food items to guide current and future response efforts .

In Marib, recent storms and floods have caused widespread damage, including the destruction of electricity poles and widespread power outages, and have severely impacted shelters. Initial assessments reveal that 600 shelters were completely destroyed and 2,800 shelters were partially damaged across 21 IOM-managed displacement sites, affecting more than 20,000 people. Sadly, four deaths and several injuries have been reported, with 12 people referred to IOM-supported hospitals in Marib City for urgent medical care .