Growing concern over cholera health crisis in Yemen | Global development

Yemen is facing a mbadive resurgence of cholera in what was already one of the worst epidemics in the world, with more than 137,000 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths reported in the first three months of this year.

With more than 2,000 suspected cases registered every day, a doubling since the beginning of the year, aid agencies fear facing a new major health crisis.

In the face of growing concern over the return of the epidemic – which first broke out in the war-torn country in 2016 – humanitarian agencies report cases in 21 of 23 governorates, children under 5 years of age representing one quarter of those affected.

However, despite the spread of the disease, the epidemic has been worse in six governorates, including the ports of Hodeidah, Red Sea, and Ibb, in southern Yemen, according to Save the Children.

The latest upsurge in cholera cases threatens to further complicate the already dramatic humanitarian situation.

The spread of waterborne disease has been exacerbated by the collapse of the Yemeni health system in a country where 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation .

Although the alarm has already been triggered in February and March for 1,000 cases a day, health workers reported an increase of almost 150% in April.

According to data from the World Health Organization published this month, more than 108,000 cases were reported this year until March 17, compared with 371,000 cases for the whole of the year. 39 year, with an upward trend of 24%. The figures are close to those of the epidemic of 2017, when a million cases had been reported.

The prospect of another major cholera outbreak, exacerbated by both the onset of rains and the difficulties humanitarian workers face in reaching conflict-affected areas, is an end to violence.

The warnings coincide with President Donald Trump's decision Tuesday to veto a congressional resolution to end US military badistance in the Saudi war in Yemen – viewed as an important political message.

"This resolution is a useless and dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave servicemen, both today and in the future," wrote Trump explaining his veto.

The United States is providing billions of dollars worth of arms to the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen. Congress members have expressed concern over the thousands of civilians killed in coalition air strikes since the start of the conflict in 2014.

The fighting in the poorest country in the Arab world has also left millions of people short of food and medical care and pushed the country to the brink of starvation.

David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid group, said, "This veto of President Trump is morally blameworthy and strategic. This is delaying hopes of respite for the Yemeni people and allowing the United States to maintain a failed strategy. "