Iran Press/West Asia: Iran Press/West Asia: Heavy rainfall on the night of Tuesday has caused severe flooding across the Hodeida governorate, including in Hodeida city.
The deluge resulted in 45 fatalities and 5 missing persons, figures that are not yet final. It caused significant damage to infrastructure displaced many residents, most of them internally displaced persons, and resulted in the closure of roads and public services.
Severe damage has been reported in villages across the governorate, with initial reports suggesting one village was completely swept away by the floods. Streets and houses have been inundated, forcing residents to relocate to safer areas. There have also been complete or partial power outages.
Bajil Hospital and health centers in Al-Marawa’ah, Al-Zaydiyah, and Al-Zuhra districts were inundated and the Tuberculosis Centre suffered extensive damage, with all equipment and medications destroyed. Several departments at Al-Thawrah Hospital, one of the main referral hospitals in the area, reported damage, though the hospital remains operational. Emergency health services are working to ensure continued medical care.
Contaminated water and poor sanitation conditions have increased the risk of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water left behind by the floods creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. These health risks pose a significant threat to an already vulnerable population.
“In conflict-affected countries like Yemen, the impacts of climate change are particularly severe. The combination of ongoing conflict and climate-related disasters such as floods and extreme weather events exacerbates existing vulnerabilities,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative and Head of Mission to Yemen.
“The destruction of shelters and restricted access to basic services due to the floods will impact many people in Yemen, making it even more challenging for communities to recover from the impact of conflict. Urgent action is needed to address immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term consequences of climate change in the country.”
WHO is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local health authorities. In response to the severe flooding, WHO immediately dispatched 35 basic interagency emergency health kits, 15 measles kits, and other medical supplies to Hodeida.
The WHO co-led Health Cluster is mobilizing flood contingency stocks to Hodeida, ensuring that essential medical supplies and support reach those in need.
Yemen is already grappling with high levels of displacement, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition. Hodeida hosts 50,000 to 60,000 internally displaced persons, according to local authorities. The governorate has 477 health facilities, of which 381 (80%) are functional and 93 (20%) partially functional.
Health capabilities are strained by inadequate supplies of medication, oxygen, lab reagents, and intravenous fluids, as well as a lack of specialized staff. Reduced incentives for healthcare workers have led to service disruptions, increasing the financial burden on already struggling communities.203
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