Oxfam warns against heavy cholera outbreak in Yemen

SANAA, March 9 (YPA) – Oxfam organization warned on Tuesday against heavy cholera outbreak in Yemen, especially in northern provinces.

Oxfam said in a statement that the northern governorates of Yemen are the greatest danger due to the scarcity of water, pointing to a high cholera rate has been risen in Sanaa, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Taiz and Dhamar since 2017.

The statement that the number of people infected with the disease would be increased with approaching rainy season during the next April, noting that that Yemen has been suffering from a forgotten cholera crisis, and health care systems are on the verge of collapse.

It explained that it have been registering over 56,000 suspected cases since the first seven weeks of 2020, and the number of cases of cholera in 2019 was the second largest recorded during one year.

“The prolonged, consistent rate of new cases during the last 14 months that shows the disease is still spreading in Yemen,” the statement confirmed.

Moreover, Muhsin Siddiquey, the director of Oxfam’s office in Yemen, said, “The outlook is gloomy for Yemenis with cholera cases going on at similar levels for the past year, and the rainy season likely to show thousands of possible infections.”

“A shortage of clean water and food has left many people weak and vulnerable to disease, accordingly, the humanitarian aid agencies have been struggling to reach those the needed people because of difficulties imposed by all parties.

He added, “We need urgent action by the international community to ensure safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance, as well as to bring all parties together to agree on a ceasefire at the national level, instead of fueling the conflict by selling weapons for use in war.”

AA