Reference :
V-P-YE-E-00691
Date :
04/2009
Caption :
North Yemen, Al-Buga district. Distribution by the ICRC and the Yemen Red Crescent Society of relief items to people affected by the recent floods.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Extract from 15/04/2009 ICRC Operational update
Northern Yemen: emergency response to flood victims
Sana'a (ICRC) - Hundreds of people have been affected by heavy rainfalls that caused floods at the beginning of April in the remote district of Al-Buqua', in the northeast of Sa'ada governorate. Many families have been left without shelter, lost part of their livestock and other items necessary for their survival and were therefore in great need of help.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) in Sa'ada decided to implement an urgent humanitarian response to help the victims of these recent floods. Essential items such as tents, ground sheets, mattresses, blankets, washing soap, jerrycans, hand soap, buckets and kitchen sets were distributed to cover the needs of more than 320 families (over 3,400 individuals). Furthermore, the YRCS and ICRC provided the same families with a 1-month food ration (which included wheat flour, vegetable oil, beans, rice, sugar and salt) and arranged for the daily delivery of drinking water to help them cope with the situation. In order to deal with diseases that occur frequently in such situations, the local health centre was provided with a 1-month drugs supply.
According to ICRC Head of Sub-delegation in Sa'ada, Klaus Spreyermann: "There was no question about the need for an urgent ICRC and YRCS intervention to assist these people. They are located in a remote area, and the consequences of such floods may lead to some serious problems, such as water-borne diseases for instance, if help is not provided immediately ".
The distribution, involving 55 YRCS volunteers and 5 ICRC staff, took place on 8th and 11th April. It was based on assessments carried out by specialists at the beginning of the month.
The ICRC has been working in Yemen since 1962. Its current activities focus on helping people adversely affected by the conflict in the northern province of Sa'ada and in nearby areas. In cooperation with the YRCS, the ICRC endeavours to meet the most urgent needs of the population and to provide humanitarian assistance on an impartial basis.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
2559x1920
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
