The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that Yemen faces the highest risk of diseases globally. This statement, shared via the “X” platform, highlighted Yemen’s extreme vulnerability to disease risks worldwide, especially amid the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Additionally, WHO collaborated with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health to conduct training aimed at reviewing early procedures to enhance early detection and rapid response, supported by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The British charity Oxfam warned in December of a concerning rise in cholera cases in Yemen recently, suggesting it could escalate into an epidemic without urgent measures. Oxfam’s statement indicated that cholera cases were registered in six southern and eastern provinces of Yemen, as well as two northern provinces, within recent weeks.
From October 2 to December 3, 1,336 suspected cholera cases and 11 deaths were reported in the southern part of the country. The charity also noted that the actual numbers might be significantly higher due to a lack of reporting in several areas.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen has been deteriorating due to a combination of factors, including ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and a climate crisis that exacerbates already dire conditions. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen highlighted the complex challenges the country faces, intensified by the Gaza war’s fallout. The crisis in Yemen has made it more difficult to mediate the decade-long conflict initiated by the Houthi rebels’ government overthrow in 2014. Despite these challenges, efforts to resolve the crisis continue, with emphasis on keeping open channels of communication and preserving political space.
The climate crisis is also a significant factor worsening the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Vulnerabilities to natural hazards, floods, and droughts have led to the destruction of shelters and infrastructure, restricted access to markets and basic services, and facilitated the spread of deadly diseases. In 2020, adverse weather impacted at least 13 governorates, affecting over 62,500 families, with thousands more affected in 2021. Yemen’s reliance on commercial imports for food and nearly all its fuel, with a significant portion of its wheat coming from Russia and Ukraine, means the conflict there may further increase food prices, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition.
