In recent months, Yemen has been severely affected by a serious cholera epidemic, further straining the country’s already fragile healthcare system. INTERSOS medical teams are at the forefront, providing crucial support for treatment and prevention efforts.
INTERSOS medical teams are leading the response to the cholera outbreak in Yemen, which peaked in the second quarter of 2024. According to the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), the southern region has reported 19,998 suspected cases, 6,011 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths since October 2023. In the northern region, since March 2024, there have been 87,729 suspected cases, 8,013 confirmed cases, and 341 deaths.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), our mission in Yemen has developed a comprehensive response plan to tackle the health emergency. This plan includes the establishment of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) Points at each intervention site to treat mild dehydration cases, providing all essential medicines. Patients with severe dehydration are stabilized with intravenous fluids and then transferred to Diarrhea Treatment Centers (DTCs). With WHO’s support, we are also distributing Aquatabs for water chlorination, crucial for containing the epidemic’s spread.
Healthcare personnel are trained in various aspects, including the treatment of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD), preventive measures, and community education on using Aquatabs. Additionally, we are printing and distributing informational and educational materials provided by the MoPHP and supplying infection control and prevention materials at intervention sites. These measures are essential to prevent the spread of cholera and improve sanitary conditions in affected communities.
To address the cholera epidemic and future emergencies, INTERSOS has launched a comprehensive rapid response plan covering Health, Nutrition, Protection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. In recent months, we have reviewed national cholera guidelines and collaborated with WHO, UNICEF, MoPHP, and other humanitarian organizations to find the best intervention solutions and secure the necessary supplies for the humanitarian response.
The concern for Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis extends beyond the cholera epidemic. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), by October 2024, Yemen will have the highest number of people needing food assistance. The country is also facing unprecedented malnutrition rates: approximately 5 million children under five and 2.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women urgently require integrated life-saving nutritional interventions.
INTERSOS is determined to respond to this emergency with expertise and dedication, working closely with international partners to alleviate suffering and improve living conditions for affected populations in Yemen.