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Catastrophic epidemic in Yemen Red Cross fears up to 600,000 cholera-infected people
The cholera epidemic in Yemen continues to spread. According to the Red Cross, there could be around 600,000 cholera patients by the end of the year. The health care system of the civil war country has largely collapsed - as has the drinking water supply.
600,000 cholera patients by the end of the year
The civil war country Yemen is currently hit by the worst cholera epidemic in the world. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), it will even expand significantly. According to a message from the dpa news agency, IKRK President Peter Maurer said that by the end of the year, around 600,000 cholera patients are to be feared. "The big tragedy is that it's an avoidable man-made humanitarian disaster," said Maurer.
The cholera epidemic in Yemen continues to spread. The Red Cross fears about 600,000 patients by the end of the year. The supply of drinking water, food and medicines has to improve fast. (Image: KariDesign-fotolia.com) Already more than 1,800 people died
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 362,000 people are currently suffering from cholera. Over 1,800 people died - including many children.
Cholera bacteria are primarily spread over water that is contaminated with human fecal matter. Among other things, the infection leads to severe diarrhea and vomiting. Due to the extreme fluid loss, the disease can lead to death.
In fact, the infectious disease can be treated relatively easily and successfully, but in the civil war, the WHO and other experts estimate that the epidemic will be difficult to control.
Health system is largely destroyed
The health care system and other areas of civilian infrastructure in Yemen have been largely destroyed by violent conflicts in recent years.
There is a lack of medication and the medical staff has not received any salary for months. In addition, large parts of the population lack knowledge about how to prevent infection.
Many residents of the country are weakened because they do not have enough to eat. And about two-thirds of the approximately 27 million inhabitants have no access to clean water.
"Many water treatment plants and lines were destroyed," writes the German Red Cross (DRK) on its website.
"In the capital Sanaa, which has about 2.5 million inhabitants and in which hundreds of thousands of refugees live, no drinking water supply works."
The sewage systems and waste disposal often no longer work. Dirty water is the main reason for the epidemic.
Fatal consequences especially for children
Especially for children, the current cholera epidemic has fatal consequences. "Children make up half of the suspected cholera cases and a quarter of reported deaths," says a UNICEF UN Children's Fund Communication.
The situation is not likely to improve so quickly. According to political observers, peace negotiations are currently at a standstill.
The measures to contain the cholera epidemic must increase enormously in the coming months.
ICRC President Peter Maurer called on all parties to the conflict to facilitate at least the supply of medicine and food. (Ad)