Yemens civil war turns country cholera breeding ground

The ongoing civil war in Yemen has indeed turned the country into a breeding ground for cholera, as well as other diseases. Here's a summary of the situation:

Cholera outbreak: The cholera outbreak in Yemen began in October 2016 and has since become one of the largest and most severe outbreaks in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of March 2023, there have been over 4.5 million suspected cases of cholera and over 100,000 deaths.

Causes of the outbreak: The outbreak is attributed to a combination of factors, including:

  1. Conflict: The ongoing civil war has disrupted the country's healthcare system, making it difficult to provide medical care and vaccinations to the population.
  2. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation: Many people in Yemen lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities, making them more susceptible to waterborne diseases like cholera.
  3. Malnutrition: Malnutrition is widespread in Yemen, making people more vulnerable to diseases like cholera.
  4. Displacement: The conflict has led to widespread displacement, with many people forced to live in crowded and unsanitary conditions, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Consequences: The cholera outbreak has had severe consequences for Yemen's population, including:

  1. High mortality rate: Cholera has a high mortality rate, especially among children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
  2. Disruption of healthcare services: The outbreak has overwhelmed Yemen's healthcare system, leading to a shortage of medical supplies, equipment, and staff.
  3. Economic impact: The outbreak has also had a significant economic impact, with the cost of responding to the outbreak estimated to be over $1 billion.
  4. Humanitarian crisis: The cholera outbreak is just one aspect of a larger humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has been exacerbated by the conflict and has led to widespread poverty, hunger, and displacement.

International response: The international community has responded to the cholera outbreak in Yemen with a massive humanitarian effort, including:

  1. Vaccination campaigns: The WHO and other organizations have launched vaccination campaigns to try to contain the outbreak.
  2. Medical aid: Medical aid has been sent to Yemen to help respond to the outbreak.
  3. Funding: The international community has provided significant funding to support the response to the outbreak.
  4. Humanitarian aid: Humanitarian aid has been provided to support the affected population, including food, shelter, and other essential items.

Despite these efforts, the cholera outbreak in Yemen remains a significant challenge, and the country's healthcare system continues to be severely strained.