In August, heavy rains swept through Abs district in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate, severely impacting thousands of internally displaced families living in fragile shelters. Tents collapsed, roofs made of lightweight materials disintegrated, and families woke to rising water and mud with little protection. For many, the night was terrifying and, for some, life-threatening. Hadi Mohammed Shaer Al-Aslami described the harrowing experience as intense and frightening, recounting how he clung to his door with his young son while his mother’s shelter collapsed entirely.
In the days leading up to the floods, the Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS), supported by the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), had been monitoring alerts, identifying high-risk areas, and advising families to move away from flood channels. These early preparedness measures allowed teams to position resources close to the communities most at risk. Dr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Nassar, Executive Director of YRCS in Hajjah, emphasized that anticipating the disaster and acting early was crucial for saving lives.
When the rains intensified overnight, volunteers immediately moved into affected areas, reaching displacement sites within the first hour. Thanks to the timely DREF support, YRCS teams were able to provide relief, administer first aid, and set up temporary shelters while flooding was still ongoing. Volunteers reported severe destruction, with families left without homes, shelter, or food. YRCS was the only organization able to respond promptly, assessing needs and beginning distributions without delay.
Preparedness measures taken earlier, such as awareness sessions, protective barriers, and guiding families away from dangerous flood paths, significantly reduced the impact in several high-risk areas. Volunteers recalled how small interventions, like a protective barrier, prevented entire displacement sites from being swept away. These early actions demonstrated the life-saving value of local knowledge and preparation.
YRCS volunteers worked tirelessly to provide emergency shelter materials, transitional tents, mattresses, blankets, and cash assistance to help families recover. Support enabled many families to remain in their communities rather than being forced to relocate entirely. Volunteers highlighted how immediate relief restored hope and provided protection against ongoing rainfall.
The floods in Abs underscored the importance of local presence, early preparedness, and rapid mobilization. Volunteers from the affected communities were able to act swiftly to protect those in greatest danger. Dr. Ahmed reflected that such early action strengthens confidence in the ability to save lives and prevent disasters from becoming tragedies. The response demonstrated that preparedness and timely intervention are essential in reducing the human impact of natural hazards.
