The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that cholera outbreaks in Yemen have led to 668 fatalities, along with over 172,000 suspected cases of the disease recorded since the start of 2024.
Citing data from the Yemeni Ministry of Health, UNICEF stated on Tuesday that “as of 18 August, more than 172,023 cases of acute watery diarrhea and suspected cholera cases have been reported in Yemen with 668 associated deaths.”
The UN agency emphasized in a statement that ” On average, more than 1,500 cases have been reported daily over the last several weeks.” UNICEF expressed concern that “the situation is feared to deteriorate during the ongoing rainy season,” highlighting that ” People living in areas with poor access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, and sewage systems such as IDP camps are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.”
“The cholera outbreak, coupled with flooding during the rainy season, could further devastate the already fragile health system, and affect the most vulnerable people,” UNICEF warned.
