Fatima Ahmed Thabet, a displaced woman in the countryside of Taiz city, in an area under the administration of Maqbanah District, finds herself unable to describe the current tragedy they are enduring, as dark and rainy nights loom over them, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of fear and terror.
She tells "Khuyut," "Most nights during the recent period, it was raining heavily on us, leaving the night pitch dark. There’s no light to guide us, nor fire to keep us warm, so we can sleep in the camps amidst the mud, where blankets, mattresses, and clothes are soaked, making the cold and frost even worse." She adds, "We have nothing to eat or cook; even the flour gets wet from the rain, rendering it unusable."
According to human rights organizations, the recent rainy weather that hit parts of the governorates of Taiz, Al-Hodeidah, and Hajjah since August 2, 2024, has resulted in the deaths of 45 civilians and injured dozens, with around 15 deaths reported in the areas of Maqbanah District alone (west of Taiz Governorate).
Severe Consequences of the Atmospheric Depression
Meanwhile, Hamida Salem, a woman in her fifties, tells "Khuyut," "We are living in a difficult situation due to the rains. We have no one to help us; everyone just watches us as if we are not Yemenis."
Moreover, the rains and floods have greatly exacerbated the suffering of marginalized women, especially those with darker skin (referred to as "Muhamasheen"). These women are particularly affected by the harsh climate that has recently struck Yemen. The hardship is most severe for those living in displacement camps, which have been exposed in recent days to flash floods and inundations caused by the heavy rains that have affected multiple Yemeni governorates. These camps have been submerged by rainwater, with some being swept away by the floods, leading to the displacement of many families.
“Displacement camps were set up haphazardly due to the war, the lack of places to shelter the displaced, the absence of local authorities' involvement, and the harassment from the host communities, who claim ownership of the lands, which obstructed efforts to find proper sites. Consequently, the camps were erected in flood pathways and low-lying areas that are directly affected by floodwaters during rainfalls, which is a clear violation of the engineering standards for setting up such camps.”
The suffering did not stop there; it has reached levels beyond what can be endured, starting with the lack of access to water, security, and adequate nutrition, and culminating in the frightening and massive spread of mosquitoes and flies in their shelters.
Further, due to this year’s atmospheric depression, the suffering of women in the camps will be exacerbated compared to previous years, especially with the absence of any role or intervention by local authorities in the districts where the IDP camps are densely located. This situation has turned the depression and stormy weather into a nightmare for the displaced women living in deteriorating and dilapidated camps unfit for habitation. Meanwhile, official reports estimate the number of displaced women in Yemen at more than 200,000, with 20% of them are in need of psychological support. Moreover, approximately 500,000 families are living in the open.
In this regard, the Secretary-General of the National Union for the Development of the Poorest Groups ( the marginalized), Abdulrahman Ali Saeed, explains to "Khuyut" that the marginalized, especially women, are the most affected in all areas hit by floods and torrents, as they live in shanties made of tin, huts, and houses built from loosely held small stones.
Women are More Vulnerable to Diseases
Yemeni women with dark skin are among the most affected by climate change due to living in unsafe housing (camps) situated in flood-prone areas, coupled with a complete lack of food security and low levels of environmental awareness.
Human rights activist Reeman Hameed, Director of the "Our Life for Coexistence" organization, confirms to "Khuyut" that there is no attention given to the women living in the camps in terms of health, nor is there any sewage system in some camps, and the water is not properly sterilized. All of this leads to the spread of certain diseases, such as hepatitis, bilharzia, malaria, skin rashes, and malnutrition, among pregnant women.
She further adds, "It is essential to protect women in the camps from climate change by constructing water barriers to divert water away from the camps and securing housing through the construction of safe shelters that ensure dignified living conditions, away from the risks caused by climate change, such as diseases, water contamination, and the sweeping away of the camps."
A government report issued by the Executive Unit for the Management of Displacement Camps in Yemen indicates that 5,583 displaced families were affected by the heavy rains and sweeping floods that hit the governorates of Hajjah and Al-Hodeidah between August 6 and 8, 2024.
In this context, Fatima Ali, a social activist in one of the regions of Taiz, who is displaced from Al-Hodeidah Governorate, which was recently hit by destructive rains and floods, tells "Khuyut," "When the rains and floods come, we experience a state of fear and panic for our children and our belongings, such as food, clothing, and other things. With the first drop of rain, we declare a state of emergency in the camp, and we try as much as possible to protect our belongings, food, and clothing, but to no avail, as the rains and floods cause the destruction of everything.”
She continues, "Epidemics, mosquitoes, scorpions, and snakes spread at night due to the floods, and we remain stuck in the mud mixed with water for several days."
Harsh Impacts of Stormy Weather
According to the director of the "Our Life for Coexistence" organization, the displacement camps were set up haphazardly due to the war, the lack of places to shelter the displaced, the absence of local authorities' involvement, and the harassment from the host communities, who claim ownership of the lands, which obstructed efforts to find proper sites. Consequently, the camps were erected in flood pathways and low-lying areas that are directly affected by floodwaters during rainfalls.
In fact, this issue is a clear violation of the internationally accepted engineering standards for setting up such camps, which is attributed to the absence of the local authorities’ role and the executive units for the displaced persons in the districts, as Hamid explains. She emphasizes that climate change will harm displaced women in particular, as they are physically weak and vulnerable and live in environments conducive to the spread of diseases due to floodwaters carrying dust and dirt, resulting in a polluted and unsafe environment.
For his part, Fawzi Mahyoub, President of the "Better Life" Association, remarked in his interview with "Khuyut" that the floods leave behind catastrophic consequences, including the destruction and damage of displaced persons' camps, leaving women and children in the open, and result also in the accumulation of human and animal waste near the camps.
According to Mahyoub, the floodwaters also inundate the camps, leading to the destruction of personal belongings and household items. Consequently, this exacerbates the physical, psychological, and social suffering of displaced women while also increasing the death toll, particularly among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, due to the spread of epidemics, fevers, and frost waves.
