In recent days, the climate in Yemen has unleashed unprecedented fury, with strong winds, heavy rains, and devastating floods wreaking havoc akin to doomsday. This natural onslaught adds another layer of tragedy to the already burdened Yemeni people, who have endured a decade of war and conflict. Despite the warnings about the potential impact of climate extremism on a fragile country with no services or infrastructure, the active and controlling Yemeni parties persisted in their military, political, and economic conflicts, disregarding the looming threat of climate change. Amidst the harshest realities, survivors of war now find themselves at the mercy of nature's wrath, as climate change, when unleashed, shows no mercy and spares no one. This dire situation underscores the urgent need for collective action to address climate challenges in conflict-ridden regions like Tehama, emphasizing the critical importance of integrating climate resilience efforts into the broader humanitarian response to protect vulnerable populations and build a sustainable future.
The Rich/Poor Province
On the morning of Monday, the fifth of August in the current year, the residents of the villages of Deir Al-Zein and Al-Najari, located in the Qanawiss Directorate in the northern region of Al-Hodeida Governorate, were confronted with a heartbreaking sight. An unidentified individual's body was discovered submerged in mud and dirt. Following the retrieval process, the victim was identified as Abdullah Jilan, hailing from the village of Al-Jilaniyah. He was swept away by the waters of Wadi Tabbab, originating from Mount Malhan and Mount Adh-Dhahir in the Al-Khabt district of Al-Mahweet Governorate. This valley is well-known for passing through the Qanawiss Directorate before reaching the area of Ibn Abbas, which overlooks the Red Sea in western Yemen.
The raging floods in the north of Al-Hodeida, the rich province in terms of resources but impoverished in reality, were only a prelude to a natural disaster that this time affected many areas in most of the governorate's districts. By six in the evening on Tuesday, the sixth of August, these districts were set for a challenging night of unprecedented rains, floods, and thunderstorms not seen in around four decades. People woke up the next day to wide-scale destruction left by the floods, stretching from the Azuhra District in the north to the Heis District in the south and reaching the Bajil District in the east. Even the three central districts of the province were inundated by the rains and floods, causing significant material damage.
The southern districts bore the brunt of the devastation. In the village of Al-Qahmah in the lands of Al-Raqoud, under the jurisdiction of the Zabid District, the tragic deaths of two girls from the Al-Ajmii family were recorded. Likewise, in the lower village of Al-Qurashiya, also within the Zabid District, locals came across the lifeless body of a child carried away by the torrents of Wadi Aji. In the Durehemi District, villagers stumbled upon the bodies of two children in the palm grove. Over in Hais, the raging waters claimed the life of the brave Abdu Al-Masoudi, who heroically attempted to rescue two children, leading to a heartbreaking loss of all three lives. Meanwhile, in Azuhra, near Qanawiss to the north, a young couple met a tragic fate as their home crumbled under the weight of the relentless downpour, leaving them both perished.
As the morning dawned on the sixth of August, following hours of relentless storm, the plight of the victims and the missing took center stage in Hodeida. Amidst conflicting official reports on the casualty count, the Yemeni Red Crescent Society solemnly confirmed the passing of 45 souls, while 12 others remained unaccounted for. These tragic losses were attributed to the unforgiving deluge and fierce floods that wreaked havoc across the provinces of Hodeida, Hajjah, Taiz, Ammran, Sa'ada, Dhammar, and Sana'a.
The survivors of the floods awoke to staggering material losses that were unprecedented and never before experienced by the residents. According to the Yemeni Red Crescent, around 93,440 individuals were affected by the floods, with 3,640 people displaced due to the torrents and heavy rains.
Losses and Health Implications
The aftermath of the floods extended beyond just material losses, delving into profound health implications that exacerbated the challenges faced by the affected communities. The devastation in the agriculture and livestock sectors was particularly severe, with the torrents wreaking havoc on numerous farms and leading to the tragic loss of hundreds of livestock. These animals, vital for the livelihoods of the residents, perished in the floods, further deepening the hardships faced by the population. The districts of Duraihemi, Al-Mansouria, Al-Husainiya, and Zabid bore the brunt of this agricultural and livestock devastation, highlighting the widespread impact of the natural disaster on the region's economy and food security.
The survivors of the floods awoke to staggering material losses that were unprecedented and never before experienced by the residents. According to the Yemeni Red Crescent, around 93,440 individuals were affected by the floods, with 3,640 people displaced due to the torrents and heavy rains.
To the east of Hodeida, in one of the villages of the Al-Mara'wa District, Ahmed Omar stands amidst the remnants of his home, recounting the details of a stormy night unlike any he had experienced before. Omar, speaking to "Khuyut" confirms that the floods ravaged wide parts of his house and the homes of his siblings.
In the district of Heis, located at the southernmost tip of Hodeida, Hajj Mursheed surveys the collapse of the roof of one of the rooms in his house situated in the Palm Valley. Mursheed tells "Khuyut" that three rooms with mud roofs collapsed and suffered extensive damage, as rainwater and floods penetrated inside, destroying his food, clothing, and bedding.
These recent losses are part of a recurring pattern of devastation in the region. A report released by the United Nations Development Program in Yemen in February 2024 highlighted how climate change has delivered a dual blow to agriculture in Hodeida. The lands have been ravaged by floods and torrents, while scorching heatwaves have mercilessly destroyed crops, especially in the districts of Al-Sokhna and Al-Mansouria. This has deepened the pre-existing food insecurity crisis in the area, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by the local communities.
On the other hand, these floods have had direct impacts on the healthcare sector, as the waters inundated some hospitals and rural health centers in several districts of Hodeida. Significant damage was inflicted on equipment and medicines, in addition to the health risks posed by the stagnant pools left behind by the rains, especially in the neighborhoods of Hodeida city. This raises concerns about the potential spread of mosquitoes and disease-carrying insects, as warned in a report by the World Health Organization in August 2024. The report highlighted that contaminated water and deteriorating sanitation services have increased the risk of waterborne diseases due to the stagnant water left by the floods, creating a fertile environment for mosquito breeding and raising fears of the possible outbreak of insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
All these pressing health risks call for immediate intervention by the relevant authorities to commence insect control and spraying operations, as well as to swiftly dry up the stagnant pools formed by the mixture of rainwater and sewage. Urgent measures must be put in place to address the critical humanitarian needs and tackle the long-term repercussions of climate change in the country.
Moreover, alongside the human and material losses resulting from the floods in Hodeida, there are additional perils linked to the ongoing state of war and conflict that has plagued the country for years, further exacerbated by the recent floods. Dozens of mines swept away by the torrents have been detected in the Palm Valley area of Heis district in southern Hodeida, mirroring the situation in the villages and districts of the Tehama region within the northwestern province of Hajjah.
The Tehama regions are in need of vital dams and robust concrete barriers to manage the flow of rainwater streams and floods originating from the valleys cascading down from the eastern mountains of the adjacent provinces. Among these waterways, Wadi Mur, also dubbed as the "Yemeni western Amazon," stands out for the sheer force of its seasonal floods.
Wealthy Province with Poor Infrastructure
Despite being one of the most important Yemeni provinces contributing to the state's treasury, Hodeida's geographical location places it at the receiving end of floods from the mountainous highlands. These floods have exposed the fragility of the infrastructure, the failure of local authorities, and the absence of any plan, vision, or equipment to deal with such phenomena and natural disasters. Additionally, the lack of communication and early warning systems for citizens exacerbates losses, as no precautionary or preventive measures are taken to mitigate the damages.
Journalist and human rights activist Wadae Atta underscores the critical lack of essential dams and concrete barriers in the Tehama regions of Hodeida and Hajjah to manage the influx of rainwater and valley floods originating from the eastern mountains of neighboring provinces. The prominent among these watercourses is Wadi Moor, renowned as the "Yemeni Amazon" for the ferocity of its seasonal floods.
In an interview with Khuyut, Atta further highlights the poignant paradox where the residents of the Tehama plains endure recurring rainwater flood calamities each season. He expresses that if a portion of Hodeida's resources were invested in bolstering its infrastructure, there would be no necessity for appeals to rescue its affected populace. Atta poses a thought-provoking query on how Hodeida, with its three ports, expansive coastal stretch of about 300 km, and a rich variety of agricultural produce exported to diverse Yemeni and neighboring markets, could still be deemed impoverished.
Amidst the ongoing control division in the districts of Hodeida between the Ansar Allah group (the Houthis) and the internationally recognized government, the notable lack of civil defense teams played a significant role in the overall failure, negligence, and disregard for the situation. Following hours of relentless rainfall and widespread flooding, local authorities eventually initiated the reopening of main roads between districts and announced the establishment of emergency response teams to mitigate the damages. Limited aid from local organizations and associations also began to trickle in to support the affected communities.
Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change in Hodeida
Despite the catastrophic situation on the ground, where Hodeida Governorate has borne the brunt of the impact, and the efforts demonstrated by some stakeholders, notably the plea from the head of the internationally recognized government's Presidential Council during his meeting with the US Ambassador for international intervention to support the government's endeavors in assisting the affected and restoring the decimated services in four provinces - Hodeida, Taiz, Hajjah, and Marib, any initiatives to mitigate the damages in these provinces are hindered by the prevailing division and military control between the warring factions on the ground.
The United Nations Development Programme had predicted in November 2023 that climate change would result in over 121,000 deaths in Yemen by the year 2060. Furthermore, a report from the UN programme anticipated that Yemen would incur a cumulative loss of $93 billion in Gross Domestic Product and an additional 3.8 million people would suffer from malnutrition in Yemen if climate-resilience capacity-building measures are not implemented. These warnings are not new, as several reports issued by the World Bank since 2012 have raised concerns about climate change impacts on Yemen.
In conclusion, as Yemen grapples with the complexities of its current climate crisis, it becomes increasingly evident that putting an end to the devastating cycle of war and conflict is more crucial than ever. The nation urgently requires a well-thought-out national strategy that encompasses all facets of society, including the strengthening of governmental institutions and civil society. Additionally, substantial investments in scientific research are needed to better understand and mitigate the challenges posed by climate change. Collaborating closely with international organizations and donors to access necessary financial and technical resources is paramount in effectively addressing these pressing issues and fostering resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
