GNV News, December 27, 2024

On December 23, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in Yemen—long the country with the highest number of cholera cases and related deaths globally—the situation had worsened again in 2024 compared with the previous year. In November, compared with the same month in 2023, cholera cases and related deaths increased by 37% and 27%, respectively, and as of December 1, Yemen accounted for 35% of the world’s cholera cases and 18% of related deaths in 2024. Yemen has experienced ongoing cholera transmission for many years, and from 2017 to 2020 it saw the world’s largest cholera outbreak in recent years.

Behind this lies the armed conflict that has continued for more than a decade. During that time, for several years the border with Saudi Arabia was effectively sealed, making it difficult to bring in humanitarian aid, and airstrikes have left water, sewage, and health infrastructure inoperable, while the economy has collapsed. In addition to poor sanitation—including a lack of safe drinking water and a shortage of toilets—restricted access to prompt treatment has fueled the spread of cholera.

Urgent, comprehensive interventions for cholera control are needed, including early detection of infections, administration of oral cholera vaccine, hygiene education, and repair of sanitation infrastructure, but beyond the fact that the conflict has not ended, a severe funding problem persists. Between March and November 2024, 47 diarrhea treatment centers (DTC) and 234 oral rehydration centers (ORC) were forced to close. A further 17 DTCs and 39 ORCs are scheduled to close by the end of December. Authorities across Yemen, WHO, other UN agencies, and non-governmental aid organizations are taking action, but a funding shortfall of US$20 million is projected between October 2024 and March 2025, and it has been warned that without financial support the country could again face a crisis comparable to the 2017–2020 outbreak.

Learn more about the conflict in Yemen → “Yemen conflict: a new phase”

Cholera inpatient, Yemen (2019) (Photo: anasalhajj / Shutterstock.com)