Emergency water shortage in crisis-hit Yemen
In late March, violence escalated in Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East. Since then, almost 2000 people have been killed and over 7000 injured in the violent fighting. Over half a million people have been displaced, while thousands more are trapped in their own homes. Vital supplies such as clean water, medical equipment and fuel are running out. Today, almost two out of three Yemenis lack access to clean drinking water, threatening public health. Yemen is a country in crisis.
Even before the recent escalation of the conflict, the problems in the country were extensive. Around 60% of the population depended on some form of humanitarian assistance. More than 10 million people did not have enough to eat, more than 8 million lacked access to adequate healthcare and more than half the population did not have clean water to drink. These figures are now continuing to rise as the humanitarian situation in the country becomes increasingly acute.
Two out of three lack clean water
Today, 16 million people, almost two-thirds of the country's population, lack access to clean water and sanitation. This represents more people than the entire population of Sweden and Denmark combined. Much of the country's water infrastructure has been damaged in the violent fighting. In the absence of functioning water systems, people are forced to drink unclean water, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera, malaria or diarrhea.
Another related problem is the lack of fuel. Local authorities across much of the country have flagged that they now lack the fuel to keep water systems running and treat wastewater, posing another serious health risk. In recent weeks, several key transportation routes have also been shut down, which is devastating for a nation that is entirely dependent on imported food and fuel.
Oxfam staff in Yemen are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in the country. The lack of clean water and sanitation poses an acute health risk. The country's hospitals are now without fuel, clean water, and medical equipment - they do not have the capacity to deal with a major disease outbreak. As if that wasn't enough, piles of rotting garbage fill the streets of major cities. Like so much else, local garbage collection has collapsed in the midst of the conflict, posing another health risk. A serious health crisis is imminent if water and sanitation problems are not addressed. This is the last thing Yemenis need.
The wave ahead
Oxfam is working with several other organizations to help people on the ground, but the humanitarian needs continue to grow and the aid is not enough. Unless we find a way to address the acute shortage of water and fuel, the country is at risk of a disease outbreak that will take more lives than the conflict itself. The people of Yemen have the right to a better life and a secure future.
Oxfam calls on national, regional and international actors to work together to find a lasting solution to the conflict. For this to happen, the violence must stop and the warring parties must agree to a permanent ceasefire. Dialogue and peaceful negotiations are essential to help people in need. Key transport routes must also be opened to ensure that vital supplies such as food and fuel enter the country.
