Sana'a, Yemen: flash floods have wreaked havoc across the country, with authorities warning citizens to beware unexpected torrents and rockslides. Photograph: EPA
Flash floods have destroyed half of the tents and caused widespread damage at three camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yemen.
More than 8,000 camp residents near Haradh, in the north-west of the country, have been affected. In recent days, torrential rains and flooding have killed 39 people and destroyed homes, schools and infrastructure.
"The tents were old and leaking, and UNHCR [the UN refugee agency] was preparing to replace them before the storm hit," said Erich Ogoso, public information and advocacy officer for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). "It was tough for the IDPs, as they scrambled to cover food and other items that could be damaged by the water and protect children from the heavy rain."
The three Mazraq IDP sites were set up in Hajjah governorate on the border with Saudi Arabia when Yemenis fled from neighbouring Sa'dah governorate in 2009 during a civil conflict between the army and Zaidi Shia Houthi rebels.
Although a truce has held since 2010, most of the displaced are yet to return, fearing further insecurity and awaiting reconstruction.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/aug/29/yemen-floods-homeless-displaced
No comments:
Post a Comment