Key messages
Across all areas affected by Cyclones Chapala and Megh, 26 people have been killed and 78 injured. Many of the almost 6,000 displaced families have returned to their homes, however many continue to shelter in tents due to damage sustained to their homes.
The continued provision of humanitarian assistance, the rehabilitation of homes and roads and the restoration of livelihoods are the main assistance priorities.
The UN and other humanitarian partners continue to provide assistance to people affected by the cyclones, including food to over 14,500 people, non-food items to over 14,000, safe water to over 6,500 and enough medical supplies to benefit over 665,000. Gulf States have sent 43 relief planes to assist the affected people on Socotra Island.
Situation Overview
Cyclones Megh and Chapala are reported to have killed 26 people and injured 78 across all the affected areas. The Task Force on Population Movement issued a preliminary report on 12 November, estimating that 5,974 families (41,818 individuals) had been displaced by the impact of the cyclones across 13 districts in six governorates. The current number of displaced people is expected to be much lower, as those that fled coastal areas as a precautionary measure have started to return to their towns and villages.
Gulf States have sent 43 relief planes to assist On Socotora, many cyclone-affected people from more remote areas of the island remain vulnerable, with reports of people staying out in the open or in public buildings. Roads are still badly damaged and there is little electricity, fuel or cooking gas. Local authorities have highlighted a continuing need for non-food items (NFIs), tents, food and medical supplies. Many of the displaced are reportedly starting to return to their homes, and, in some cases, are setting up tents next to their damaged houses. The reconstruction of their homes is now a key priority, with a local NGO currently reporting more than 700 houses across the island have been damaged. Another priority is the rehabilitation of roads and the restoration of livelihoods, in particular the fisheries sector. The Yemen Red Crescent Society estimates that over 785 fishing boats and 1,130 fishing nets have been damaged on Socotra by the two cyclones. The main harbor sustained significant damages, with dhows and large boats unable to berth.
In Hadramaut, an NGO alliance reports that many displaced families continue to shelter in public buildings, including schools, unable to return due to damage sustained to their homes, and a loss of assets and livelihoods. In Al Mukalla, domestic water distribution networks remain unrepaired after some main pipelines from Ghail Bawazer were damaged by Cyclone Chapala. Local water authorities, together with a number of local NGOs, have provided safe water to mosques for distribution, and have called for urgent support to rehabilitate water and sanitation infrastructure.
In Shabwah, assessments have confirmed that the villages of Jila’a, Bir Ali and Rodoum were the most affected by the two cyclones. Hundreds of houses were destroyed and many people lost their livestock, crops and other sources of livelihood.