Yemen is currently grappling with a devastating cholera outbreak, reporting around 250,000 suspected infections and 861 deaths as of December 1, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This alarming statistic represents 35% of global cholera cases and 18% of deaths attributed to the disease this year.

The situation has escalated dramatically, particularly in November, where the number of cases surged by 37% and the mortality rate climbed by 27% compared to the same month last year.

"Waterborne diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea are putting immense strain on Yemen’s already beleaguered healthcare system," stated Arturo Pesigan, the WHO representative in Yemen.

A Crisis Years in the Making

The cholera outbreak is exacerbated by a backdrop of prolonged conflict and economic challenges that have plagued Yemen for over a decade. The country experienced its worst cholera epidemic from 2017 to 2020, and although numbers decreased temporarily, cholera has remained a significant health concern. The current spike in cases is largely attributed to a lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and limited access to healthcare services.

Funding Shortages Worsen the Crisis

Efforts to combat the cholera outbreak are severely hampered by a staggering $20 million funding deficit projected for the period between October 2024 and March 2025. The financial shortfall has already resulted in the closure of 47 diarrhea treatment centers and 234 oral rehydration centers between March and November of this year. If funding does not materialize soon, another 17 treatment centers and 39 rehydration centers are expected to shut their doors by the end of December, leaving 84% of diarrhea treatment facilities and 62% of oral rehydration centers unable to function. Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarm bells, suggesting that Yemen may face a catastrophe comparable to the dire conditions experienced during the 2017-2020 cholera outbreak.

Ongoing Humanitarian Efforts

Despite the formidable challenges, the WHO has been actively working with Yemeni authorities, UN agencies, and various humanitarian organizations to manage the outbreak effectively. Some of their key initiatives include: - Providing laboratory equipment to 12 public health laboratories for reliable infection confirmation. - Dispatching essential medicines, medical supplies, and sanitation resources to the hardest-hit areas. - Training over 800 health workers specifically in cholera case management techniques. - Mobilizing more than 25,000 rapid response teams to investigate ongoing cases and implement control measures.

The Bigger Picture

Yemen is not just battling cholera; it is a part of a broader humanitarian disaster. Over 18.2 million individuals—nearly half of the population—rely on humanitarian assistance, with 11.2 million in urgent need. Food insecurity is rampant, affecting 17.6 million people, and almost half of the children under five are suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition.

As the cholera situation continues to worsen and funding dwindles, Yemen’s fragile healthcare system teeters on the brink of collapse, placing millions of lives at imminent risk from preventable diseases. Concerted global action is necessary to avert an even greater humanitarian disaster in this war-torn region.