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Alarming Resurgence of Cholera Cases in Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen

Thanks to the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has made great strides in Yemen (UN)
Thanks to the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has made great strides in Yemen (UN)
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Alarming Resurgence of Cholera Cases in Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen

Thanks to the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has made great strides in Yemen (UN)
Thanks to the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has made great strides in Yemen (UN)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an alarming resurgence of cholera cases in Houthi-held territories in the north of Yemen, with the number of recorded cases nearing 100,000.

Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasted a heightened risk of flooding during Yemen's rainy season, which runs until September.

In its Health Cluster Bulletin, WHO said the cholera outbreak continues in Yemen covering most of the country.

It said 112,583 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the Yemeni governorates since the beginning of this year.

Most cases were recorded in Houthi-controlled areas, accounting for 83% of the total cases compared to 17% in governorates under the internationally-recognized government.

As of July 6, 2024, the bulletin said 93,000 suspected cases have been reported in Houthi-controlled areas.

It noted that the Health Cluster, with coordination with the relevant authorities and partners, is coordinating a rapid response to the outbreak.

The Yemeni government, in cooperation with the UN, continues the fight against cholera and to open cholera treatment centers.

In return, the Houthis ban child vaccination campaigns, hide the number of cholera cases and deaths in the areas under their control, while the militias’ media outlets and mosques continue to warn against vaccines, describing them as Western conspiracies.

The lack of vaccination campaigns in Houthi-controlled areas have caused the resurgence of many diseases, including polio, years after Yemen was announced free of the pandemic.

Flooding Risks

A cholera outbreak in Houthi-controlled areas came while FAO warned of a heightened risk of flooding, especially in coastal and low-lying areas, in the coming weeks.

In its Agrometeorological Early Warning Bulletin, FAO said factors such as heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage systems, devegetation, and other environmental conditions can contribute to flash floods.

The resulting exposure of vulnerable agricultural resources further amplifies the threat to food security, the bulletin warned.

According to UN data, 6 million people were projected to be one step away from famine in Yemen due to the sharp decline in aid provided by donors, and the suspension, since the end of last year, of the food program that distributes aid in Houthi-controlled areas.

FAO said July, in particular, typically records significant rainfall across many areas of Yemen.

It said that with daily precipitation levels expected to rise, reaching cumulative values surpassing 200 mm in areas like Ibb governorate, the Central Highlands and parts of the Southern Uplands are poised to receive the heaviest rainfall in the upcoming period.

Additionally, the bulletin said areas such as Hadramaut governorate, which typically experience minimal rainfall, are predicted to receive substantial precipitation nearing 40 mm.

FAO showed that these meteorological projections, coupled with the hydro-topographical characteristics of low-lying and coastal watersheds, could result in the reemergence of flash floods, with varying probabilities across different areas.

Some areas in Yemen will experience temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius, specifically, the northern areas of Hadramaut and Al Maharah governorates, as well as coastal spots in Lahj.

Also, temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius will be recorded in various locations along the Red Sea (such as Hodeidah and Hajjah), the Gulf of Aden (Lahj), and the inland areas of Shabwah, Marib, Al Jawf, Hadramaut, and Al Maharah.

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Arab World

Yemen’s Humanitarian Lifeline on the Brink, IRC Warns

Aid agencies face increasing requests for assistance in the camps of displaced Yemenis (UN)
Aid agencies face increasing requests for assistance in the camps of displaced Yemenis (UN)
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Yemen’s Humanitarian Lifeline on the Brink, IRC Warns

Aid agencies face increasing requests for assistance in the camps of displaced Yemenis (UN)
Aid agencies face increasing requests for assistance in the camps of displaced Yemenis (UN)

As Yemen marks ten years of conflict and crisis ignited by the Houthis, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned that the country will face unprecedented challenges this year with expected reductions in US contributions, which accounted for more than half of total humanitarian funding to Yemen in 2024.

The Committee said the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) seeks $2.47 billion to reach 10.5 million people—but as of March 2025, it is just 5% funded.

In 2024, the response received just over half of what was required, forcing aid agencies to scale back essential support such as food distributions and limit access to clean water and other services.

Therefore, IRC warned that expected reductions in US contributions, which accounted for more than half of total humanitarian funding to Yemen in 2024, threaten to widen this gap even further, placing millions at greater risk of hunger, disease, and further displacement.

The Committee also cautioned that a widening chasm between rising humanitarian needs and the funding required to alleviate them, risks leaving millions of Yemenis without access to food, healthcare and protection services.

In 2025, it said, an estimated 19.5 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection—an increase of nearly 7% compared to 2024. Across the country, more than 83% of the population now lives in poverty.

More than 4.5 million people are now internally displaced with most displaced multiple times over the past decade. IRC teams said they are witnessing rising demand in displacement sites, where families face limited access to food, healthcare and clean water.

“These figures reflect the compounding toll of a crisis that has deepened year after year, leaving families with fewer resources, fewer services and no safe alternatives,” the Committee warned.

For families who have endured years of displacement and insecurity, humanitarian aid has been critical to survival.

“I remember the first time I heard the sounds of war. I felt a fear I had never known before. We lost our home, our livelihood, and most importantly, our sense of security. Living in this camp is a daily struggle with no privacy or safety,” said Abdulnasser Abdullah, a displaced father living in Al Qataysh camp.

He added: “But the healthcare assistance we have received has made a real difference—especially since we can’t afford basic medication or even a simple meal.”

Caroline Sekyewa, IRC’s Country Director in Yemen, said that for ten years, Yemenis have endured relentless conflict, economic collapse, and limited access to lifesaving health and nutrition services.

“Humanitarian aid has been their lifeline-preventing disease outbreaks, delivering healthcare, responding to natural disasters, and helping families to survive,” she said.

For donor governments to consider reducing or removing that support is not just short-sighted, it puts millions of lives at risk, the aid director affirmed.

“Yemen now stands on a precipice and without urgent support, we risk reversing years of hard-fought gains. Ultimately, humanitarian aid on its own cannot end the suffering being felt by millions in Yemen,” she said.

Sekyewa then revealed that last year, humanitarian organizations, in spite of a huge funding shortfall, reached more than 8 million people in need across the country.

“2025 must be a turning point in this crisis. With needs steadily increasing, we call upon all donors to step up and ensure that this year’s humanitarian needs and response plan is fully funded,” she affirmed.