Yemen Faces ‘Worst Humanitarian Disaster’ as Disease Outbreaks Threaten Millions
Yemen Faces ‘Worst Humanitarian Disaster’ as Disease Outbreaks Threaten Millions
————————————
World Health Organization has warned of the simultaneous spread of several infectious diseases in Yemen, including cholera, measles, dengue fever and polio, amid the country’s deepening health and humanitarian crisis.
In a statement, the WHO said declining vaccination rates, lack of clean water and safe sanitation, large-scale displacement, and limited access to healthcare services have all contributed to the resurgence of preventable diseases. Climate-related shocks, including flooding and extreme weather, have further increased the risk of transmission and damaged Yemen’s already fragile health infrastructure.
The organization appealed for $38.8 million to provide urgent, life-saving health assistance to 10.5 million people across Yemen in 2026.
The WHO estimates that 23.1 million people in Yemen require humanitarian assistance, while only about 60 percent of health facilities remain fully functional, leaving millions without reliable access to basic care. Acute malnutrition remains a major public health threat, affecting millions of children, with hundreds of thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition requiring urgent treatment.
More than 55 percent of the health system has gone out of service due to direct attacks and indirect impacts of the blockade, contributing to the spread of epidemics, health officials say.
They add that over 20 million people need assistance, with around 3.5 million children suffering from acute malnutrition. He added that by the end of 2025, reported infections had exceeded 64,000 cases, including 161 deaths, noting that declining funding and the withdrawal of some aid organizations have worsened the crisis.
