The International Charter Space and Major Disasters has been activated for flooding in Yemen on 2 June.
Cyclone Mekunu brought severe rainfall and winds causing flooding in areas of Yemen as it made landfall on 25 May. Local reports suggest that at least seven people have been killed and over 1,000 families have been displaced due to the flooding. The cyclone and floods have also damaged infrastructure and agricultural equipment in many districts of the Yemeni mainland. Some 120 fishing ships have reportedly been lost to the cyclone and a search is ongoing for missing fishermen.
One of the worst affected areas is the Yemeni island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea. Residents on the island are fleeing from torrential floods and more than 30 people are reported missing. Smaller islands off the coast of Socotra have also been heavily impacted and there is growing concern for the 2,500 families living on the islands of Abd Al Quri and Samhah as communications to these islands have been cut off by the storm surges. Food stocks have also been destroyed on Socotra. Relief efforts are taking place across the islands.
The Charter activation request was made by the UK Department for International Development and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) will act as project manager.
