Climate Change Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

Yemen floods sweep away homes and displaced camps (Reuters)
Yemen floods sweep away homes and displaced camps (Reuters)
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Climate Change Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

Yemen floods sweep away homes and displaced camps (Reuters)
Yemen floods sweep away homes and displaced camps (Reuters)

International warnings about the detrimental impact of extreme climate events on humanitarian conditions in Yemen persist as the population copes with extensive flood damages and the spread of diseases.

Recently, the UN issued a renewed warning about the imminent return of floods, which are expected to hit several Yemeni provinces this month. These floods are anticipated due to the onset of the rainy season, which typically lasts until late August.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified the provinces of Dhamar, Ibb, Aden, Lahj, and Taiz as areas likely to experience floods due to the possibility of heavy rainfall.

Approximately 1,500 individuals are expected to be affected by these floods, prompting a call for vigilance and caution.

According to the shelter cluster, which comprises various UN organizations involved in humanitarian relief efforts in Yemen, the number of individuals affected by heavy rains and floods that occurred in Yemen from March to June 24 has risen to over 300,000 people, according to the latest data.

Moreover, more than 44,000 households, totaling 308,000 individuals, in over 100 directorates across 19 Yemeni provinces, have suffered damages.

Hodeidah, located in the western part of Yemen, ranked highest among the most affected provinces by floods, with 27,700 households impacted.

Aden province followed closely in second place, with 12,300 affected households.

In third place was Ibb province, with 1,600 households affected.

Sanaa witnessed damage to 1,500 households, while Saada province suffered damage to 1,200 households.

According to the shelter cluster, the humanitarian response to flood-affected Yemenis reveals significant gaps, ranging from 60% to 96%, with an average of 72%, in meeting the overall needs for non-food items, shelter, and emergency assistance.

These needs are at the forefront of the humanitarian requirements for those affected by the floods.



Arab Foreign Ministers Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani attends the opening session of the Rome Med 2024, Mediterranean Dialogues conference in Rome, Italy, 25 November 2024. (EPA)
Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani attends the opening session of the Rome Med 2024, Mediterranean Dialogues conference in Rome, Italy, 25 November 2024. (EPA)
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Arab Foreign Ministers Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani attends the opening session of the Rome Med 2024, Mediterranean Dialogues conference in Rome, Italy, 25 November 2024. (EPA)
Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani attends the opening session of the Rome Med 2024, Mediterranean Dialogues conference in Rome, Italy, 25 November 2024. (EPA)

Several Arab foreign ministers, gathering in Rome on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meeting, are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

The ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, and the secretary general of the League of Arab States, all participated in a Rome conference before joining G7 foreign minsters later in the day in nearby Fiuggi.

“Gaza is now a graveyard for children, a graveyard for human values, a graveyard for international law,” said Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

The Mideast conflict was the top agenda item Monday for the G7, amid reported progress on a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s ambassador to the US said a deal could be reached within days.

“We all hope and pray that this ceasefire will be realized because the absence of it will mean more destruction, and more and more animosity, and more dehumanization, and more hatred, and more bitterness which will doom the future of the region to more conflict and more killing and more destruction,” Safadi said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed that Cairo would host a ministerial-level conference next Monday on mobilizing international aid for Gaza.

In remarks to the “Mediterranean Dialogues” conference, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, the release of hostages, provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinians and the initiation of “a serious and genuine political process” to create a Palestinian state.