Yemen, a land engulfed in a series of calamities and enduring a brutal war that has persisted for over nine years, now finds itself confronting yet another catastrophic event - an outbreak of cholera. This epidemic, which commenced in October of the previous year, has unleashed harrowing consequences, resulting in the tragic loss of around 160 lives, a significant number of whom are innocent children. According to reports from the Yemeni government and esteemed international organizations, including the United Nations, the number of infections has surpassed a staggering 40,000. The situation is dire and demands immediate attention and unwavering support from the global community.
In mid-May 2024, the United Nations officially acknowledged the outbreak and rapid spread of the cholera epidemic across all governorates of Yemen, coinciding with the worsening health conditions in the country. Martin Griffiths, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, sounded the alarm about the cholera's rampant expansion throughout Yemen. He emphasized the urgent requirement for increased funding and immediate action to provide relief to millions of people affected by this crisis. The situation demands swift and substantial support to mitigate the impact and save lives.
The United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator expressed deep concern regarding the swift escalation of the cholera outbreak in areas under Houthi control. The reported numbers indicate approximately 34,000 suspected cases and over 160 fatalities, with children comprising the majority of the affected individuals. Furthermore, there have been around 6,000 suspected cases reported in regions under internationally recognized government control. This alarming situation necessitates immediate action and intensified efforts to combat the spread of the disease and provide essential assistance to those affected.
Moreover, Martin Griffiths, speaking with deep concern, highlighted the potential consequences of heavy rains and subsequent flooding on the ongoing cholera epidemic. He stressed, "We anticipate that heavy rains and flooding will exacerbate the situation, posing an even greater threat. It is imperative that immediate action be taken to halt the spread of the disease." The urgency to address this situation cannot be understated, as failure to do so may result in further devastation caused by the combination of cholera and the impending rainy season. Preventive measures, robust healthcare infrastructure, and swift response are crucial in mitigating the impact and saving lives.
The situation described by medical sources in the capital, Sanaa, is indeed very concerning. According to reports, the health situation is extremely dire, and government hospitals' emergency departments are overwhelmed with hundreds of daily cholera cases. This is occurring amidst a complete collapse of the health system and a lack of health education.
A Tragic Reality
The situation described by medical sources in Sanaa is indeed very tragic. According to reports received by Khuyut, the health situation is extremely dire. Government hospitals' emergency departments are inundated with hundreds of cholera cases every day. This is occurring amidst a complete collapse of the health system and a lack of health education.
An emergency doctor from Kuwait University Hospital in Sanaa, who spoke anonymously to the Khuyut platform, confirmed the catastrophic nature of the situation. The doctor expressed concerns about the authorities concealing the true reality of the situation, including the actual numbers of infections and deaths. The doctor emphasized that the capabilities of the health system are non-existent, leaving the population in a vulnerable state. Moreover, what is particularly alarming about the current cholera wave is that the symptoms are more dangerous than in the previous outbreaks. Some infections may even progress to the stage of kidney failure. The collapsing health system, coupled with the severity of the current cholera outbreak, demands swift action to alleviate the suffering and prevent further loss of life.
Likewise, the internationally recognized government has appealed to international organizations for urgent intervention. Minister of Health, Qasim Bahibah, expressed the government's concern about the potential for a wider spread of the epidemic in the coming period during a meeting with Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, in mid-May 2024.
Abdulqader Ba Jameel, the Director of the Health Office in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan Governorate (southeast of the country), has called on local and international organizations to swiftly intervene to address an unprecedented outbreak of cholera in the city. Zinjibar experiences the highest temperatures during the summer season in Yemen, which further exacerbates the situation. Ba Jameel stated that they have recorded five deaths and nine critical cases, with a frightening increase in the number of infections since the beginning of May. The government's appeal for international assistance and the urgent need for intervention in Zinjibar highlight the severity of the situation. It is crucial for both local and international organizations to act swiftly to contain the outbreak, provide necessary support, and prevent further loss of life and the spread of the disease.
Furthermore, the city of Aden, which serves as the headquarters of the legitimate government in southern Yemen, is currently grappling with a new wave of cholera outbreak. Medical sources in Aden, speaking to the "Khuyut" platform, have provided alarming information about the situation. They have reported that the current wave of cholera has already claimed the lives of more than 75 individuals. This is a devastating toll on the community. One particular hospital, Al-Sadaka Hospital, is bearing the brunt of the crisis. It receives over 40 cases of cholera on a daily basis, with a significant portion of those affected being children. This highlights the vulnerability of the younger population to this deadly disease.
The cholera epidemic has had devastating consequences in Yemen, with four thousand Yemenis losing their lives, particularly children, during two previous waves of the pandemic between 2016 and 2021. UN organizations and local authorities anticipate that the upcoming wave of the cholera epidemic will be even more severe and perilous compared to its predecessors. The plight of the Yemeni people intensifies every mid-summer and worsens during the season of heavy rains.
A week of acute diarrhea
In Taiz Governorate, located in southwestern Yemen, health authorities have reported a concerning increase in suspected cases of acute diarrhea throughout the year 2023. Approximately 1,600 cases have been recorded, out of which 12 cases have been confirmed through Stool Sample Culture examination and 68 cases through rapid test. The Humanitarian Access Group in the governorate has recently released a report indicating the rapid spread of malnutrition, including severe acute malnutrition associated with cholera. The report highlights that around 55,000 children and 66,000 pregnant women are suffering from this severe form of malnutrition.
The peak of the wave of cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases occurred in two weeks, with 25 cases reported in the Al-Muzaffar District and 36 cases in the Cairo District, which are both located in the central area of Taiz city. These numbers are alarming and indicate the urgent need for intervention and support to address the outbreak and its associated health consequences in the governorate. The situation calls for immediate attention and efforts to mitigate the impact on the affected population, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
According to Yasin Abdulmalik, the Director of Epidemiological Surveillance in Taiz, there has indeed been an increase in the number of cholera cases in Taiz Governorate during the current year, 2024. He specifically mentioned to "Khuyut" that as of May 19th, a total of 926 suspected cases have been reported. Out of these, 315 cases have been confirmed through stool culture examination, and unfortunately, there have been 12 deaths.
In response to this concerning situation, Abdulmalik highlighted that several measures have been implemented to address the outbreak. One important step has been the establishment of treatment centers within hospitals. Notably, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has provided support to two of these centers. One is located at the Republican Government Hospital in central Taiz city, while the other is situated at the Emergency Center in the Al-Makha coastal directorate on the Red Sea, specifically in the southwest of the country. These centers play a crucial role in providing medical assistance and combating the spread of cholera in the affected areas.
According to Arafat Al-Soufi, the Head of the Emergency Department at the Republican Hospital in Taiz, he mentioned to "Khuyut" that on average, around 20 cases are received at the emergency department daily. Additionally, there are approximately 20 critical cases currently admitted to the hospital, and unfortunately, six deaths have been recorded. These numbers highlight the difficult situation the hospital is facing in managing the cholera outbreak in the region.
Victims of two successive cholera waves
The cholera epidemic has had devastating consequences in Yemen, with four thousand Yemenis losing their lives, particularly children, during two previous waves of the pandemic between 2016 and 2021. UN organizations and local authorities anticipate that the upcoming wave of the cholera epidemic will be even more severe and perilous compared to its predecessors. The plight of the Yemeni people intensifies every mid-summer and worsens during the season of heavy rains.
In 2016, Yemen experienced a devastating cholera epidemic, which was the largest wave of its kind in the country. By November 2021, reports indicated that the number of infected individuals had exceeded two and a half million, with over four thousand deaths. According to data from the World Health Organization at the time, a significant portion of the recorded cases, about a quarter, were children under the age of five. The regions most affected by the outbreak were Aden, Al-Baidha, Taiz, and Hodeida, which accounted for 65% of the reported cases. Additionally, the majority of deaths, approximately 70%, occurred in the governorates of Aden, Al Baidha, and Ibb which highlights the severe impact of the epidemic on various parts of Yemen.
Further, Yasin Al-Sabri, the Head of the Emergency Department at Al-Safwa Hospital in Taiz, indeed confirmed that a significant percentage, up to 75%, of the population has been infected with cholera. However, it is important to note that many of these individuals may not display any symptoms. Al-Sabri stated in an interview with "Khuyut" that: "Only about 20% of those affected actually suffer from or show symptoms of acute watery diarrhea, which is characteristic of cholera. They are the ones who seek medical care at hospitals and health centers."
It is worth noting that fter a decade of conflict, the healthcare situation in Yemen remains extremely challenging. More than 20 million Yemenis are unable to access basic healthcare services, and this lack of access disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups in the country. The absence of essential healthcare services further exacerbates the already dire situation faced by the Yemeni population. Additionally, the water crisis in Yemen is a major concern. It is alarming that 12.4 million people in the country do not have access to clean water, which means that the majority of the population, around seven out of ten individuals, are deprived of a clean water network. This not only poses severe health risks but also contributes significantly to the difficulties encountered in addressing and controlling the cholera outbreak in Yemen.
These distressing realities highlight the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure access to clean water for the Yemeni population.
