Yemen Roundup: Floods, Houthis' activities, UN calls for release of staff

Floods kill 95

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to worsen as recent flooding has resulted in significant loss of life and property. In Hodeidah province, the death toll has reached 95, with 34 individuals injured as reported by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. According to Newsroom Odisha, the heavy rainfall has led to the collapse of numerous houses, affecting over 12,000 homes. Further complicating this situation, in Al-Mahwit province, 20 people are reported missing and at least 30 fatalities have been linked to the floods and landslides. The World Health Organization has raised alarming concerns regarding potential disease outbreaks due to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation amid the ongoing civil conflict, which has severely compromised the infrastructure and public health resilience in Yemen.

Declining fish stocks

Yemeni fishermen are innovating in response to declining fish stocks caused by persistent civil war and environmental degradation. They are increasingly adopting artificial reefs (ARs) constructed from discarded materials such as firewood, tyres, and metal, an approach that aims to replace dying coral reefs and attract marine life. However, this practice poses environmental risks as these manmade materials could pollute the waters and potentially harm existing marine ecosystems. As reported by the New Arab, The decline in Yemen's fish stock has been drastic, plummeting from 400,000 metric tons in 1993 to an estimated 40-50,000 metric tons in 2023, significantly impacting the fishing sector's contribution to the national GDP, which has decreased from 15% to just 3%.

UN calls for release of detained staff

Human rights concerns are further amplified as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, demands the immediate release of six UN personnel detained for three months under dubious allegations by Houthi authorities. The spokesperson has dismissed the accusations as unfounded, citing that one individual may have confessed under duress, as seen in a distressing video. according to the Mirage News, These six detainees are part of a larger group of 17 UN staff currently held, with several reportedly incommunicado since 2021. The UN has reiterated the necessity for due process and legal representation, labelling the allegations as fabricated, and called upon the Houthis to facilitate UN efforts rather than hinder them.

Houthi mines cleared

In a separate domain, the 2024 STEAM Festival, themed “Fun Chemistry”, has recently commenced at the King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh and is set to continue until September 30. Directed by Ahmed Salim, this event encompasses 100 workshops, panel discussions, and live demonstrations designed to promote public understanding of science and its relevance to daily life. The festival, organised in collaboration with various Saudi ministries and institutions, responds to the kingdom's escalating demand for scientific expertise while fostering local innovations in alignment with Vision 2030. Arab News highlights that the significant components of the festival involve over 25 pavilions dedicated to the exploration of chemistry’s historical context, contemporary technologies, and sustainable methodologies, aiming to provide diverse educational opportunities across all societal segments while accentuating the fusion of art with technology and engineering.

Efforts to salvage the burning oil tanker

Finally, amidst ongoing regional tensions, efforts to salvage the burning oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea have been stalled due to safety concerns, as reported by a European Union naval mission. The tanker, which carries one million barrels of oil, poses a substantial risk of an ecological catastrophe in the event of a spill, a situation aggravated by the ongoing conflict involving the Israel-Hamas situation. As reported by ABC News, the Houthis have intensified their targeting of vessels, claiming these actions are directed towards ships associated with Israel and its allies, with threats of environmental disasters aimed at securing concessions from the international community.