Barran Press
A recent United Nations report released on November 7, 2024, indicates that cholera cases in Yemen have surged to approximately 219,000 since the beginning of the year, with the majority of cases reported in areas controlled by the Houthi movement, which is classified as a terrorist organization internationally.
According to the report from UNICEF and the Water and Sanitation Cluster in Yemen, there have been over 219,000 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhea and cholera reported across the country from January 1 to October 20.
The report highlights that more than 80% of these cases are concentrated in Houthi-controlled provinces. Hajja province tops the list with around 35,000 cases, followed by Al-Hudaydah with approximately 24,000, and Amran with 19,000. Other affected areas include Ibb and Dhamar, each recording about 16,000 cases, while Taiz reported 15,000. The capital, Sana'a, along with Al-Dhale and Al-Bayda, each documented around 14,000 suspected cases.
The report also notes that humanitarian partners have managed to provide clean water, sanitation services, and hygiene supplies to over one million people in 141 areas and 128 internally displaced person sites since the start of the year.
In early October, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that cholera claimed the lives of 680 individuals in Yemen from March to September, with approximately 186,000 suspected cases during that period. The spread of acute watery diarrhea continues to affect Yemen, with children under five and the elderly accounting for a quarter of all cases.
Statistics from the Ministry of Public Health and Population cited in the UN report reveal over 186,000 suspected cases of cholera across Yemen's 22 governorates since mid-March, with reported deaths exceeding 680. The highest incidence of cholera cases is noted in western provinces under Houthi control.
Compared to earlier this year, the report shows a sharp increase in both fatalities and infections. From January to July, there were about 95,000 suspected cases, resulting in at least 258 deaths. Rights Watch accused the Houthi movement in August of obstructing relief efforts and exacerbating the cholera outbreak throughout the country. The organization stated that the Houthis have detained civil society workers and threatened humanitarian aid staff amid recent crackdowns.
Humanitarian agencies have reported challenges in obtaining approvals to launch cholera response programs in Houthi-controlled regions, often waiting months for necessary permits.