Yemen’s humanitarian crisis deepens as the country grapples with the world’s highest cholera burden. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 250,000 suspected cases and 861 associated deaths have been reported as of December 1, 2024. Yemen accounts for 35% of global cholera cases and 18% of related deaths this year.
Alarming Surge in Cases
In November alone, Yemen saw a sharp rise in cholera cases, with suspected infections increasing by 37% and deaths rising by 27% compared to the same period last year. This surge exacerbates an already strained health system weakened by over a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and crumbling infrastructure.
The country’s cholera crisis follows its largest outbreak from 2017 to 2020, during which transmission never fully ceased, leaving Yemen vulnerable to recurring outbreaks.
A Health System on the Brink
Waterborne diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhea are placing an immense burden on Yemen’s healthcare system, already stretched thin by other outbreaks. Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, noted the severe challenges humanitarian actors face due to funding shortages.
Critical issues driving the outbreak include:
- Limited access to clean drinking water
- Poor sanitation infrastructure
- Inadequate treatment availability
Severe Funding Shortages
WHO reports a $20 million funding gap for Yemen’s cholera response from October 2024 to March 2025. These shortages have forced the closure of:
- 47 Diarrhea Treatment Centers (DTCs) and 234 Oral Rehydration Centers (ORCs) from March to November
- An additional 17 DTCs and 39 ORCs by the end of December, potentially shutting down 84% of DTCs and 62% of ORCs nationwide
Health experts warn that without immediate financial support, Yemen risks another devastating scenario similar to the 2017–2020 outbreak, which overwhelmed the country’s fragile healthcare system.
Efforts to Combat the Outbreak
Since the latest outbreak began in March 2024, WHO has collaborated with Yemeni authorities, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations to implement critical measures, including:
- Deploying over 25,000 rapid response team missions to investigate alerts and implement control measures
- Supplying laboratory reagents and materials to 12 central public health labs
- Distributing essential medicines, medical supplies, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) resources
- Training over 800 health workers on cholera case management
- Supporting an oral cholera vaccination campaign that reached 3.2 million people across six governorates
Broader Humanitarian Crisis
The cholera outbreak is a stark symptom of Yemen’s wider humanitarian challenges. Nearly half of the population—18.2 million people—require humanitarian assistance, with 11.2 million identified for aid coverage. Additionally:
- 17.6 million people face food insecurity
- Nearly half of all children under five suffer from moderate to severe stunting
A Call to Action
Yemen urgently needs international support to combat the cholera outbreak and address its broader humanitarian crisis. Immediate financial assistance is critical to sustain healthcare services, provide clean water, and ensure life-saving aid reaches vulnerable populations.
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