Sana’a, Yemen – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, is supporting the island of Socotra after it was devastated by Cyclone Mekunu on 23 May. Working with inter-cluster partners and local authorities on the ground, IOM has determined the most urgent needs to be food and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Cyclone Mekunu had a devastating effect on the island resulting in the loss of 120 fishing boats, some 500 fishing nets and some farmland being swept away. Water networks collapsed and some medical facilities were adversely affected. In addition, 1,000 households were reportedly displaced with significant damage to their homes.

There is also great concern about the situation on two other islands near Socotra – Abd Al Quri and Samhah – due to lack of communication with the populations there. There are reportedly 2,500 families spread across both islands, whose condition is unknown. 

The UN has sent 15 metric tons of World Food Programme emergency food supplies. Two more rotations are scheduled soon, to bring in UNICEF WASH supplies, and UNHCR/IOM shelter and aid kits.   

As an immediate response, IOM is assisting with shelter materials for nearly 3,000 people.

“The affected populations have been forced to leave their homes or places of residence because of the destruction of their houses and shelter. IOM is providing shelter kits which will provide necessary measures to reduce the number of persons who might become internally displaced as a result of this disaster,” said Hazim Torlic, IOM Yemen Officer in Charge.

In November 2015, two rare tropical cyclones, Chapala and Megh, made landfall in Yemen’s southern coasts, severely flooding Socotra Island, the port city of Mukalla, and Shabwa Governorate displacing local residents, damaging critical infrastructure, livestock and fisheries. Further severe flooding caused by seasonal rains resulted in landslides, which caused damage to houses, crops and vital infrastructure across the country with roads cut off and food stocks, household furniture, vehicles and livestock swept away.

Then, IOM helped affected communities by providing direct assistance, including water, food, shelter, and hygiene kits, to flood-affected households in Al Maharah, Socotra, Shabwah and Hadramaut. Between 1 December 2015 and 7 January 2016, IOM distributed 1,124 shelter and non-food item (NFI) kits in Hadibu and 876 kits in Qulensya Wa Abd Al Kur districts to a total of 2,000 cyclone-affected households (14,000 individuals).

For more information, please contact Saba Malme in IOM Yemen, Tel: + 967 736 800 329, Email: smalme@iom.int