Arturo Pesigan

Yemen is grappling with a catastrophic cholera outbreak, accounting for 35% of global cases in 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 249,900 suspected cases and 861 deaths as of December 1, marking a 37% increase in infections and a 27% rise in fatalities compared to 2023. Arturo Pesigan, WHO’s Representative in Yemen, described the crisis as a severe strain on the nation’s healthcare system. “This outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera adds further pressure to an already overstretched health system facing multiple disease outbreaks,” Pesigan stated. The epidemic is driven by a lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and inadequate medical facilities. Over 18.2 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance, and 17.6 million face food insecurity. Among children under five, nearly half suffer from moderate to severe stunting due to malnutrition, exacerbating the outbreak’s impact. Yemen’s healthcare system, battered by years of conflict, has struggled to respond. Cholera, caused by ingesting contaminated water or food, has persisted since its largest outbreak from 2017 to 2020, which saw over 2.5 million cases and 4,000 deaths. The response efforts are critically underfunded, with a $20 million gap in funding for October 2024 to March 2025. This shortfall has led to the closure of 47 diarrhoea treatment centres (DTCs) and 234 oral rehydration centres (ORCs), with more closures anticipated by year-end, potentially eliminating 84% of DTCs nationwide. To control the epidemic, WHO has called for immediate measures, including oral cholera vaccination campaigns, improved disease surveillance, expanded treatment services, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. The ongoing crisis underscores the toll of prolonged conflict and neglect in Yemen, highlighting the urgent need for international solidarity to address systemic issues in water, sanitation, and healthcare access. Source: Newsx Photo Credit: Newsx