Over 1,000 Children Seek Treatment for Watery Diarrhea Daily as Number of Suspected Cholera Cases in Yemen Soars
More than 10,000 total new cases reported in the last three days alone
NEW YORK (May 31, 2017) – In the past 72 hours, the number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen has risen by 10,000 to a total of 65,300. Over 1,000 children suffering from acute watery diarrhea have been reporting to health facilities every day. In just one month, cholera has claimed at least the lives of 532 people, including 109 children. These numbers represent only verified cases and actual figures are expected to be much higher.
In response to the outbreak, UNICEF has sent in three aircrafts carrying over 40 tons of lifesaving supplies including medicines, oral rehydration salts, diarrhea disease kits and intravenous fluids to treat more than 50,000 patients. But needs continue to increase, with medicines and other vital medical equipment in short supply.
“The situation in Yemen is teetering on the verge of disaster. The water, sanitation and health systems have all but collapsed. Over 27 million Yemenis are staring at an unforgiving humanitarian catastrophe. The biggest victims of this man-made tragedy are Yemen’s most vulnerable population - its children,” said Dr. Meritxell Relaño, UNICEF Representative in Yemen. “The international community needs to support long-term investments in social services like water and sanitation. Otherwise, deadly disease outbreaks will strike again and kill many more.”
With barely functional water treatment plants, sewage and uncollected garbage is gathering in residential areas and contaminating water sources. Two thirds of Yemen’s population have no access to safe drinking water. Half of the country’s health facilities aren’t working, and medical staff haven’t been paid for over 8 months. Yemen’s weakened health system is completely overwhelmed by the scale of the cholera emergency.
UNICEF and partners are working around the clock to respond to the outbreak and have provided support to over 200 oral rehydration centers across the country where patients are screened and given immediate medical care. UNICEF is also supporting diarrhea treatment centers for the most severe cases.
UNICEF is helping to provide chlorinated drinking water and to disinfect wells, water tanker filling stations, and water storage reservoirs. Households have received basic hygiene information and been provided with water treatment tabs and hygiene kits containing soaps and washing powders.
Note to editors: download photos and video here: http://uni.cf/2rCOCQp.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org