Around half of Yemen’s population is exposed to at least one significant climate-related risk. Flash floods and flooding in wadis are especially relevant around Marib, Dhamar, eastern inland areas and all coastal governorates. Tropical cyclones and strong winds affect eastern inland areas and Socotra. Drought, water scarcity, landslides, heat and coastal flooding add further risks. Conflict, explosive remnants of war, crime and disease outbreaks can worsen access and the consequences of a disaster, but they are separate primary subjects. Yemen does not have one documented, interoperable nationwide disaster-management system. Government bodies, local authorities, humanitarian organizations and community networks work through different structures. The Civil Defense Authority, the National Center for Meteorology and Early Warning, the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority (CAMA), the Yemen Meteorological Service and the Ministry of Water and Environment have different responsibilities. The Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS), the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Population Fund and the World Health Organization also support warning, assessment, evacuation, shelter, water, sanitation, health and protection activities. CAMA issues warnings about floods, low-pressure systems, storms, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, dust, strong winds, cold and heat. Civil Defense guidance advises people not to enter or cross flood channels, wadis or ravines during and after rain and to avoid mudflows and falling rocks. An emergency number, 191, has been published through an official Civil Defense channel, but nationwide availability cannot be assumed. Warning channels may differ by area, and a message from one authority may not reach every governorate or community. Practical preparedness includes identifying safer higher ground, agreeing how family members will communicate, protecting identity and housing documents, and keeping water, medicines, basic supplies and a way to charge phones. The YRCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies use monitoring, risk identification, early action, pre-positioned supplies and public information. A simplified Flood Early Action Protocol was introduced in 2024. IOM-supported local contingency and evacuation planning can include exercises and participation by internally displaced people and host communities, but no universal household standard has been documented. After an incident, YRCS teams may conduct rapid assessments, first aid, evacuation, ambulance transport, psychosocial support and shelter and water-and-sanitation assistance. RRM support is commonly activated about 24 to 72 hours after a displacement alert, when access and funding allow. After the 2025 floods, the World Health Organization reported delivering 136 tonnes of medicines and supplies, 108 critical devices and 139,810 intravenous-fluid bags, supporting 27,762 patients. Reported figures cover different periods and areas: 2024 floods affected about 1.3 million people, displaced more than 480,000 and caused 427 deaths; an August 2025 event affected about 329,350 people in 47,050 households across 16 governorates, with 62 deaths, 73 injuries and 4 people missing. UNICEF separately reported more than 350,000 affected people across 19 governorates in its annual aggregation. Assistance is generally allocated according to damage and vulnerability rather than a uniform nationwide entitlement. Internally displaced people, host communities, returnees, migrants, refugees, women, children, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups may receive priority. Support can include emergency shelter, household items, water tanks, latrines, drainage work, hygiene supplies, food, cash, medical supplies and protection services. Damaged roads and bridges, security restrictions, local permissions and limited funding can delay delivery. No automatic nationwide state payment, free repair service, evacuation entitlement, compensation rule or disaster-insurance system has been documented. Warnings and official guidance do not normally require a fee, while transport and private repairs often remain household costs. There is no publicly documented nationwide system of evacuation routes, assembly points or compensation rules. Local authorities, Civil Defense, communities and YRCS may organize evacuation according to the hazard and access conditions. This is particularly relevant in IDP sites, wadis, floodplains and coastal areas. Recovery can include cash, livelihood support, house repairs, restoration of water and sanitation systems, roads, bridges, health facilities and IDP infrastructure. Gabions, flood walls, drainage, water harvesting and climate-resilient public buildings are among the documented measures. The Ministry of Water and Environment has led a National Implementation Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for 2026–2030, while implementation remains under development.
Disasters in Yemen
Disasters in Yemen are driven chiefly by flash floods, river flooding, storms, drought and water scarcity, with landslides, heat and coastal flooding also affecting particular areas. Warning and response services are fragmented, so access to assistance and evacuation depends on the governorate, security, permissions, roads and available funding. Households should follow local warnings, keep documents, water, medicines and charging equipment ready, and never cross wadis or flood channels during or after rain.
Tip
In Yemen, disaster readiness depends mainly on leaving flood-exposed places early and maintaining a workable local warning and support plan. Use more than one trusted local information channel because warnings and assistance differ by area. Protect life first, and do not assume that transport, repairs, compensation or emergency aid will be automatic or free.