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Yemen: Cyclone Luban Flash Update #3 (21 October 2018) [EN/AR]

Countries
Yemen
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

Situation Overview

Rainfall stopped in several cities in Al Maharah Governorate and there is a fall in the water level in the valleys separating Al Ghaydah City from Huswain District to the west, and the districts of Hawf and Shahan to the east of the Governorate. Movement between Al Mukalla and Al Ghaydah is now possible, though roads are badly damaged. The road to Sayhut was repaired and the city of Nashtoon can now be reached from Sayhut via Huswain and Qishn districts. Nashtoon port was brought back into use in order to receive the oil supplies needed to meet the urgent needs in the Governorate.

The Governorate’s Emergency Operations Room (EOR) reported that over 3,000 families were affected by Cyclone Luban. The number of displaced families, as verified by the International Organisation for Migration/the Displacement Tracking Mechanism (IOM/DTM) and UNFPA’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) is slightly lower than first estimates, with a total of 2,203 families displaced across the districts of Al Masilah, Sayhut, Huswain and Qishn. Al Ghaydah City has the largest concentration of displaced persons. A decrease in the numbers of those displaced was observed, as families returned to their homes or stay with relatives.

The EOR reported that, as of 21 October, flooding caused 11 deaths and 124 injuries. Qishn District Hospital has not been functional since 16 October due to flooding and all health workers were evacuated from the premises. In Al Masilah District, 30 houses were destroyed and 32 houses damaged by flooding.

The relief airbridge to Al Ghaydah Airport continued with a third plane landing on 18 October. To date, the King Salman Relief Centre (KSRC) dispatched, by air and overland, 867 tents, 13,591 blankets, 1,953 mattresses and 3,914 food baskets. A helicopter from the Saudi led Coalition is being used to rescue families and bring relief to areas cut off by the flooding. The Oman Charitable Organization sent seven trucks loaded with food and shelter assistance via the border crossing with Oman in eastern Hawf District.

Humanitarian Response

Rapid Response Mechanism

UNFPA, with the assistance of the national NGO, Society for Humanitarian Solidarity, distributed 1,356 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) kits with 300 RRM kits in Sayhut District, 573 RRM kits in Al Masilah District, and 483 kits in Qishn District. The kits consist of a one-week food parcel (provided by WFP), a basic hygiene kit (provided by UNICEF) and a transition kit (provided by UNFPA). An additional 1,000 RRM kits reached Al Masilah, and 2,000 kits are to be sent from Aden to the area.

Cluster Responses

Food Security and Agriculture Cluster

• The Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief (BCHR)distributed 2,160 food baskets - provided by the KSRC - in Al Masilah, Al Ghaydah, Sayhut, Huswain and Qishn districts. BCHR plans to distribute of a further 1,920 kits in the coming days.

Health

• The Emergency Operation Centre is coordinating the health response. The Health Cluster convened a meeting to discuss the needs and response to Luban Cyclone on 21 October in Mukalla City.

• WHO continues to provide support by identifying gaps and needs. On 20 October, three tons of medical supplies were sent to Al Maharah Governorate in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). The supplies include cholera and malaria kits and essential drugs. In addition, WHO provided Al Ghaydah Hospital with trauma kits.

• The MoHP provided the General Health Office (GHO) in Al Maharah Governorate with two shipments of medicines and medical supplies.

• UNICEF distributed 7,000 brochures on cholera prevention.

• WHO provided 60,000 litres of fuel for health facilities in Al Maharah Governorate

• Health care services were provided to 100 individuals among the IDPs sheltering in schools in Al Masilah District.

• Taybah Foundation, a local NGO, is in the process of sending a medical convoy consisting of medical staff ( an internal medicine specialist, a pediatrician, a laboratory technician, nurses, and data entry staff), as well as, medicines for chronic diseases, medical supplies, diapers and mosquito nets, a fully-equipped mobile laboratory and educational and awareness brochures.

• The Yemeni Red Crescent is providing rescue teams.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

• As a result of destroyed underground water wells, local authorities and rescue teams report an urgent need for clean drinking water, water tanks and the rehabilitation of toilets in temporary shelters (schools).

• The engineering team from the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation in Al Mukalla could not undertake the technical assessment in Al Maharah because the main road between the two governorates is cut off.

• WASH and cholera prevention educational materials were distributed to raise awareness of the population in seven affected districts in Al-Mahara.

• Life-saving messages through broadcasts by community radio stations continue across the Al Maharah Governorate.

Shelter/ NFIs/ CCCM

• UNHCR has 500 tents and 250 NFIs ready to be sent to Al Mukallah City and Al Maharah Governorate.

• The Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief distributed 480 blankets, provided by the KSCR in Al Masilah and Sayhut districts. BCHR has 787 tents, 1793 sleeping mats and 13,271 blankets, provided by the KSCR, stockpiled in Al Maharah for distribution.

Education

Thirty-eight 38 schools are currently being used as temporary shelters for IDPs in Al Maharah Governorate. The schools are in the following districts: Al Ghaydah 13 schools; Al Masilah: 5 schools; Huswain: 3 schools; Hat: 1 school; Hawf: 3 schools; Sayhut: 5 schools; Qishn: 5 schools; Shahan 1 school; Man'ar: 2 schools

OCHA is in close contact with the Emergency Operation Room in Al Maharah and the High Relief Committee in Aden. The latter announced that they are in the process of sending a relief convoy from Aden carrying 200 Metric tons (MT) of food, tents, water, mattresses and 1,500 sacks of rice and dates provided by the Yemeni Government. Another convoy, carrying 197 MT of food and mattresses, is expected to arrive from Marib.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.