UN agencies, partners continue to offer aid to people affected by cyclones

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that 26 people are now estimated to have died as a result of cyclones in Yemen, including 18 on Socotra Island, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Wednesday, quoting information from local authorities.

"On the mainland, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its implementing partners are distributing high energy biscuits for about 25,000 people," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and its partner distributed household kits and tents to some 2,700 people in Shabwa governorate on Tuesday, some of whom are sheltering in collective centres or staying out in the open. In addition, household kits were distributed to some 2,500 people in Hadramaut Governorate.

Meanwhile, the UN and health partners are carrying out disease surveillance and monitoring potential outbreaks, he said.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) will provide hygiene kits in Hadramaut and Shabwah in the coming days, the spokesman said.

"Fuel imports remain drastically below Yemen's needs and wheat prices remain high, despite increased imports," Dujarric said. "Given the high dependency of Yemen on fuel and food imports, humanitarian efforts can only meet a fraction of the needs." Enditem