UNFPA rushes emergency supplies for cyclone-affected South-east Yemen

Sana’a– UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund is dispatching emergency supplies to assist communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Luban that hit Socotra island and coastal areas of south-east Yemen on Sunday.

In the last 24 hours, nearly 500 families were displaced to schools and other settlements due to Cyclone Luban. These numbers are expected to increase as meteorologists predict torrential rains and possible flooding and landslides.

As part of the rapid response mechanism, led by UNFPA, cyclone-affected families are receiving rapid response kits immediately after displacement. Supplies include, ready to eat food provided by WFP, basic hygiene kits provided by UNICEF and female dignity kits provided by UNFPA.

“We are doing our best to provide immediate relief items to families being displaced, in particular to address the hygiene and health needs of women and girls. We are deeply concerned for the health of hundreds of pregnant women who are at extreme risk,” stated UNFPA’s Representative to Yemen, Ms. Anjali Sen.

Some 1,250 rapid response kits have been pre-positioned in severely affected areas. In addition, mobile medical teams and critical reproductive health supplies are on stand-by to help families who are forced to flee their homes. The response is supported by contributions from the European Union Humanitarian Aid, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Yemen Humanitarian Pooled Fund.