Yemen Faces Severe Cholera Outbreak Amid Ongoing Crisis
In November, Yemen saw a significant uptick in cholera cases and deaths compared to the same period in 2023. Suspected cases increased by 37%, while deaths climbed by 27%. This alarming rise underscores the dire state of health in a country plagued by conflict and economic collapse.
The cholera crisis adds another layer to Yemen’s nine-year conflict, which has devastated the health infrastructure and economy. The last major outbreak from 2017 to 2020 never fully subsided, leading to a constant threat of resurgence.
Unprecedented Health Crisis
“Waterborne diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea place an additional burden on an already stressed health system that is dealing with multiple disease outbreaks,” stated Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen.
Pesigan highlighted the strain on WHO and humanitarian actors addressing the crisis, exacerbated by severe funding shortages.
Severe Funding Shortages
The cholera response in Yemen faces a significant shortfall of $20 million needed for the October 2024 to March 2025 period. Due to lack of funds, 47 diarrhea treatment centers and 234 oral rehydration centers have already closed between March and November.
Without urgent financial support, an additional 17 diarrhea treatment centers and 39 oral rehydration centers may close by the end of December, potentially leaving 84% of diarrhea treatment centers and 62% of oral rehydration centers out of commission.
The prospects of another devastating cholera outbreak, similar to the 2017-2020 epidemic, loom without immediate assistance. This would further overwhelm Yemen’s already fragile healthcare system.
According to the UN World Health Organization, Yemen bears the highest burden of cholera globally.
Response Efforts
Since March 2024, WHO has been working closely with Yemeni authorities, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners to manage the outbreak. Over 25,000 rapid response team missions have been deployed to investigate alerts and implement control measures.
WHO supplied laboratory reagents and supplies to 12 central public health laboratories to confirm infections and distributed essential medicines, medical supplies, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) materials to health facilities.
More than 800 health workers have been trained on cholera case management. Additionally, a targeted oral cholera vaccination campaign has reached 3.2 million people across six governorates.
Humanitarian Challenges
The cholera crisis is just one aspect of Yemen’s broader humanitarian crisis. The nine-year conflict has left 18.2 million people, nearly half of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance, with 11.2 million in urgent need of aid.
Food insecurity affects 17.6 million people across the country, while nearly half of all children under five suffer from moderate to severe stunting due to malnutrition and lack of healthcare.
Call to Action
The situation in Yemen is dire and demands urgent attention. Ensuring proper funding and continued health interventions could make a significant difference in preventing the spread of cholera and saving lives.
We urge you to share this information far and wide to raise awareness about the crisis. Your support can help in mobilizing international assistance and ensuring a quicker response to this and other ongoing humanitarian emergencies.
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