Yemen faces a humanitarian catastrophe linked to two years of war. Children are particularly threatened by the nutritional emergency.
In Yemen, the humanitarian crisis has intensified over the past two years amid global indifference. In addition to the deadly bombardments, there was an epidemic of cholera and severe malnutrition. While the disastrous situation of the country is discussed on Tuesday at the UN Security Council, Médecins du Monde “reiterates its cry of indignation at the urgency of the crisis and the passivity of the international community” in a press release.
Because there is an emergency. Every day, 3,000 new cases of cholera break out. Hospitals collapsed under the bombardments. “More than half of the country’s health facilities are no longer in working order,” reports the NGO.
17 million people suffer from hunger
The population struggles to have access to healthcare, food, drinking water and hygiene, which considerably increases the risk of epidemics. Since the end of April, 315 deaths and 29,300 suspected cases of cholera are to be deplored. “About 19 million people, or about two thirds of the population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, of which 17 million are hungry.”
In this ocean of disasters, children are in particularly grave danger. NGO estimates point to 462,000 children under five at risk of immediate death from malnutrition.
Blockade
“The authorities cannot meet the extent of the needs, and international aid is struggling to deploy given the insecurity linked to the war.” In the area of the port of Hodeïda, where nearly 80% of food, medicine and fuel imports transit, the fighting risks making supplies “almost impossible”, warns Doctors of the World.
However, the blockade imposed by the international coalition, supported by France, plays a decisive role in the nutritional crisis and the deterioration of health indicators. “What is the international community waiting for to end this deafening silence? We must intervene urgently, the Yemenis are in great danger of death ”.
8,000 dead in the fighting
In addition to the cholera epidemic and the nutritional emergency, another deadly scourge is hitting Yemen. Since March 2015, the fighting has left more than 8,000 dead and more than 44,500 injured, recalls MdM, which comes to the aid of populations in the governorate of Sanaa in order to try to ensure access to primary health care, ” including nutritional care and psychosocial support ”- but whose action cannot be sufficient in itself in this country ravaged by suffering.
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