Yemen Humanitarian Update: Issue 3, April 2024 [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS

Situation Update: Cholera P 01

Donors allocate over $790 million to support humanitarian needs in Yemen P 03

Supporting stranded migrants in Yemen P 03

Humanitarian partners work to mitigate the effects of Yemen’s increasing food and nutrition insecurity P 05

Inclusive Hygiene: Making Latrines More Accessible for All P 06

SITUATION UPDATE: CHOLERA

Yemen is currently facing another outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) and suspected cholera, with hundreds of cases being reported daily.

The total number of cases recorded between 1 January and 29 April 2024 across all 22 governorates is now estimated to be around 30,000. While the majority of these cases are concentrated in the northern regions of the country, there has been a noticeable increase in AWD/suspected cholera cases in the southern governorates since the end of March.

Cholera predominantly affects vulnerable populations living in areas with inadequate access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities and ineffective waste disposal systems. Elderly individuals with chronic illnesses and children, especially those who are malnourished, face heightened risks. This is particularly concerning in Yemen, where there is a significant number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), estimated at 54,000. Cholera can further worsen malnutrition, leading to a higher incidence of diarrhea and more severe outcomes in children with SAM. The situation is further compounded by the arrival of heavy rains and subsequent flooding, which increases the likelihood of cholera transmission through the contamination of water supplies. Recent reports have indicated positive culture results for cholera in sewage and water sources in certain areas such as Sana’a City, Al Hodeidah, and Raymah.

The number of suspected cases is rising by 500-1,000 cases each day. In one projection, health partners anticipate that the total number of cases could range from 133,000 to 255,000 by September 2024. Agencies and cluster partners are facing challenges of limited funding availability, supply shortages (including lack of availability or high costs in local markets), limited prepositioning in northern areas, poor WASH infrastructure in communities and health facilities, and a reluctance by some populations to seek care.

To address the ongoing outbreak, UN agencies and partner organizations, in coordination with local authorities, have developed an inter-agency response plan that emphasizes both treatment and containment measures. Health and WASH partners will provide vital healthcare services and preventive measures to those affected by cholera, alongside implementing a WASH/Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy to curb the outbreak. Health Cluster partners have established 18 Diarrhea Treatment Centres (DTCs) and 84 Oral Rehydration Corners (ORCs) to manage cholera cases effectively. Plans are underway to set up an additional 24 DTCs and 116 ORCs throughout the nation to enhance the response to the outbreak.

Over the next six months (April to September 2024), under the Multisectoral Cholera Outbreak Response Plan, Health and WASH partners will respond to up to 960,000 people, including up to 137,000 severe cases in priority districts, with preventive and curative interventions. Additionally, key WASH activities, along with RCCE efforts, will target approximately two million people in priority districts. Around 6.5 million individuals are expected to indirectly benefit from these initiatives.

The countrywide, multisectoral response plan requires $28 million to effectively manage, monitor, and prevent the spread of cholera and AWD. Partners have mobilized approximately 24 per cent of the plan with existing internal resources, including loans and project reprogramming. However, urgent additional funding is needed to bridge the remaining gap.