Yemen, a country already reeling from years of conflict, economic collapse, and a debilitated health system, now holds the grim distinction of bearing the world’s heaviest burden of cholera.
With nearly 250,000 suspected cases and 861 associated deaths as of December 1, 2024, Yemen accounts for 35% of global cholera cases and 18% of cholera-related deaths this year.
The resurgence of cholera underscores the dire humanitarian crisis facing the nation, as health systems falter under the strain of persistent disease outbreaks and dwindling resources.
The Rising Tide of Cholera in Yemen
The current cholera outbreak in Yemen marks a sharp increase compared to previous years. In November 2024 alone, suspected cholera cases surged by 37%, while deaths rose by 27% compared to the same period in 2023. These figures highlight a growing crisis that reflects the vulnerabilities inherent in Yemen’s public health infrastructure.
This is not the first time Yemen has faced a significant cholera outbreak. From 2017 to 2020, the country experienced one of the largest outbreaks in modern history, with persistent transmission ever since.
The factors contributing to this ongoing crisis are multifaceted: a prolonged conflict that has devastated healthcare services, widespread economic collapse, and a lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that waterborne diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea impose an additional burden on an already overstressed health system.
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Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, stated, “The outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera imposes an additional burden on an already stressed health system facing multiple disease outbreaks.”
Strained Resources and Funding Shortfalls
Yemen’s cholera response is hampered by severe funding shortages, further compounding the crisis. The October 2024 to March 2025 response plan faces a $20 million funding gap, which has already had dire consequences.
Between March and November 2024, 47 diarrhea treatment centers (DTCs) and 234 oral rehydration centers (ORCs) were forced to close due to insufficient funding. By the end of December, an additional 17 DTCs and 39 ORCs are expected to shut down, leaving only a fraction of these critical facilities operational.
The closure of these facilities could have catastrophic consequences for the cholera response. Without adequate treatment centers, millions of Yemenis will lose access to life-saving care. The risk of another devastating scenario, akin to the 2017-2020 outbreak that overwhelmed Yemen’s fragile healthcare system, looms large.
The funding shortages also impact preventive measures, such as improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation. Inadequate WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) infrastructure has been a significant driver of cholera transmission in Yemen. Without immediate financial support, the crisis will likely spiral further out of control, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe.
Response Efforts Amid Humanitarian Challenges
Despite the daunting challenges, WHO and its partners have been working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the cholera outbreak. Since the emergence of the latest outbreak in March 2024, WHO has collaborated with Yemeni authorities, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations to mount a robust response.
Key efforts include deploying over 25,000 rapid response team missions to investigate alerts and implement control measures. These teams play a crucial role in containing the spread of the disease and addressing localized outbreaks.
WHO has also provided laboratory reagents and supplies to 12 central public health laboratories to confirm cholera infections, ensuring accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.
In addition to these measures, WHO has distributed essential medicines, medical supplies, and WASH materials to health facilities across Yemen.
These supplies are vital for managing cholera cases and preventing further transmission. WHO has also trained more than 800 health workers on cholera case management, equipping them with the skills needed to provide effective care.
An oral cholera vaccination campaign has also been a critical component of the response. This campaign has reached 3.2 million people across six governorates, providing a vital layer of protection against the disease. However, while these efforts have been significant, the scale of the crisis requires a sustained and well-funded response to make a lasting impact.
The cholera outbreak is just one facet of Yemen’s broader humanitarian crisis. The country’s prolonged conflict has left 18.2 million people—nearly half the population—in need of humanitarian assistance. Of these, 11.2 million are slated for aid coverage, underscoring the immense scale of the needs.
Food insecurity is another pressing issue, affecting 17.6 million people across Yemen. Nearly half of all children under five suffer from moderate to severe stunting, a grim indicator of the long-term impacts of the crisis on Yemen’s future generations.
Yemen’s struggle with cholera reflects the broader challenges facing the country as it grapples with the devastating consequences of prolonged conflict, economic collapse, and a crumbling health system.
The current outbreak, with its staggering toll of 250,000 suspected cases and 861 deaths, highlights the urgent need for international support and funding to address this crisis.
The response efforts by WHO and its partners demonstrate the potential to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, but these efforts are severely constrained by funding shortages. Without immediate financial support, Yemen risks facing another catastrophic scenario akin to the 2017-2020 outbreak.
The cholera crisis in Yemen is not just a health issue—it is a humanitarian tragedy that demands global attention. Addressing the root causes of the crisis, including improving access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, is essential to breaking the cycle of recurring outbreaks and alleviating the suffering of millions of Yemenis.
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