Yemen is facing a climate emergency which most recently manifested itself by severe flooding across the country, exacerbating the existing dire humanitarian needs resulting from over ten years of conflict. In early August 2024, intense rainfall triggered severe flooding causing significant damage to camps where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are residing. The governorates of Al Hudaydah, Taizz, Hajjah, and Marib were among the most affected. In Marib governorate alone, the floods impacted over 7,179 families across 20 priority IDP sites managed by Acted.
The Marda A’al Mu’aeli site is one of the largest IDP settlements in Marib Al Wadi district (Marib governorate). It hosts several hundreds of displaced families who fled the ongoing conflict in other parts of Yemen. Many of the camps’ residents arrived with few possessions and limited resources. Whilst some of the displaced families relied on the host community for housing, many IDPs’ only option was to construct makeshift shelters with materials such as plastic sheets or mud. These fragile makeshift shelters offer little protection against the harsh desert environment and natural disasters like floods or strong winds.
To address the urgent needs of flood-affected IDPs in the Marda A’al Mu’aeli site, Acted distributed 49 non-food items (NFIs) kits including blankets, mattresses, and cooking supplies. Thanks to the funding from the European Union’s (EU) humanitarian support, Acted was able to provide assistance to displaced families struggling with inadequate housing and limited access to essential items. This provided critical relief and supported community members’ immediate recovery from the devastating floods.
Fathia is originally from Yareem, a town in Ibb governorate that has been heavily affected by conflict since 2018. The ongoing violence forced her to flee with her family in search of safety and stability. Upon arriving in the Marda A’al Mu’aeli IDP site, Fathia and her family struggled to find an adequate shelter and lived in a mud-constructed shelter provided by a member of the host community:
Fathia shares her experience about the flood with one of Acted's staff members.
I was constantly worried about the safety of our living situation, especially during harsh weather conditions or potential flooding.
Alongside inadequate housing conditions, Fathia’s family faced food insecurity and lacked access to safe drinking water, which further impacted their health and well-being.
When the flood occurred, it had a devastating impact on Fathia’s shelter and belongings. The heavy rains engulfed her makeshift shelter, leading it to collapse and leaving her and her family without protection. Many of their belongings were damaged or destroyed. The flood also impacted the wider community at Marda A’al Mu’aeli site, with many shelters becoming uninhabitable. Communal resources, already limited, faced further strain, intensifying competition over basic necessities such as food.
In the aftermath of the flood, Fathia faced severe challenges.
Without a shelter, my family was exposed to harsh weather conditions, and we struggled to find a safe and dry place to stay.
Distribution of NFI kits in Marda A’al Mu’aeli IDP site.
The emotional toll of the disaster was profound, with a deep sense of loss and constant worry about her family’s safety.
Acted’s intervention provided critical support. Fathia received essential NFIs, such as blankets, mattresses, and cooking supplies, which improved her living conditions and offered a sense of security.
I feel more stable now, and the assistance has relieved some of the stress about basic supplies.
Acted complemented this assistance by providing Fathia and her family with one hygiene kit (HK) to address sanitation issues, via another funding stream.
Despite receiving assistance, Fathia remains worried about the future. Her primary worry is the potential for renewed flooding, which could again displace her family. The memory of the recent flood is still fresh, along with the fear of losing their regained stability. However, she remains hopeful that continued support from organisations like Acted can help her community navigate these challenges:
Distribution of NFI kits in Marda A’al Mu’aeli IDP site.
In the future, I hope to receive more support and stability, so my community and I can rebuild our lives
Acted, is a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium. In this YDR project, supported by the EU through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, Acted intervened to support 49 households (355 individuals: 178 females and 177 males) living in Marda A’al Mu’aeli site and 1 household (6 individuals, consisting of 3 females and 3 males) living in Kara site through the provision of 50 NFI kits.