Yemen Bears World’s Highest Cholera Burden, Deepening Humanitarian Crisis December 23, 2024
Sanaa, Yemen – Yemen continues to grapple with the world’s worst cholera outbreak, with an estimated 2.3 million suspected cases and 4,200 deaths since the outbreak began in April 2017. The crisis has been exacerbated by the country’s ongoing civil war, which has devastated healthcare infrastructure and displaced millions of people.
According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of new cholera cases reported each week in Yemen has remained high throughout 2024. In the first six months of the year, over 600,000 suspected cases were reported, with children under the age of five accounting for over a quarter of all cases.
The cholera outbreak has had a devastating impact on the health of Yemen’s population. The disease, which is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, can lead to severe dehydration and can be fatal if left untreated. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the disease.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has made it difficult to provide adequate healthcare to those affected by cholera. Many health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and healthcare workers have been targeted by violence. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation has also contributed to the spread of the disease.
“The cholera outbreak in Yemen is a man-made crisis,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO. “The war has created the conditions that have allowed cholera to thrive, and it is now one of the biggest threats to the health of the Yemeni people.”
The WHO is calling for an end to the conflict in Yemen and for greater access to healthcare and clean water for the population. The organization is also working to strengthen disease surveillance and vaccination efforts to prevent further outbreaks.
The cholera outbreak in Yemen is a stark reminder of the devastating humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the country. The war has caused widespread displacement, poverty, and food insecurity, and has left millions of people in need of life-saving assistance.
Yemen bears world’s highest cholera burden, deepening humanitarian crisis
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