VOA标准英语10月-United Nations Rushes Aid to Flood-Stricken Yemen（在线收听）
The United Nations estimated at least 180 people have lost their lives and many remain missing in floods that began last week in Yemen. It said about 10,000 people have become homeless and more than 2,000 houses and public buildings have been destroyed or damaged.
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| Yemenis sit on the rubble of collapsed buildings in the city of Shibam in Hadramaut province, 28 Oct. 2008 |
The U.N. refugee agency said it is very concerned about the widespread destruction and plight of the victims. Spokesman Ron Redmond said the UNHCR has sent items such as tents, plastic sheets and plastic rolls to Yemen.
"Since we have an operation in Yemen already working with refugees and asylum seekers, we are lending a hand to the joint U.N. effort," he said. "And, we have already sent 11 trucks to the affected area ... We are already beginning to distribute assistance to the affected Yemenis. And, from our point of view, even though we do not normally deal with natural disasters, Yemen has been a generous host, as you know, to tens of thousands of asylum seekers, refugees coming across the Gulf of Aden. So, we believe it is the least we can do."
The World Food Program is launching a special assistance program for 20,000 flood victims.
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| An aerial view shows a flooded area following torrential downpours in Hadramut, 25 Oct. 2008 |
WFP Spokeswoman Emilia Casella said the agency is already assisting one million people in the country.
"So, with this existing program, existing logistical network that we have, we are well placed to assist with food that is already in the country," she said. "And, especially to the people who have been affected who have no cooking facilities, so we are providing ready to eat food that they do not have to cook. We already have a good cooperative relationship with the authorities in Yemen and are able to do that."
The World Health Organization says it is concerned about the outbreak of water-borne diseases and malaria. The agency is sending medicines and other urgent supplies to Yemen to treat over 50,000 patients for a range of conditions.