SANA’A — Yemen is facing a devastating resurgence of cholera, with over 250,000 suspected cases and more than 860 deaths reported as of December 1, making it the worst-hit country globally. 

The outbreak, fueled by poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and a crumbling healthcare system, has overwhelmed medical facilities and sparked alarm among international health agencies.

Human Rights Watch has accused the Houthi authorities of obstructing humanitarian operations, detaining aid workers, and restricting access to public health information. These actions, the organization warns, are exacerbating the spread of the disease and threatening the lives of thousands.

“The obstructions to aid work by Yemen’s authorities, in particular the Houthis, are contributing to the spread of cholera,” said Niku Jafarnia, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. Aid agencies report that dozens of treatment centers have been forced to close due to funding shortages and limited access, leaving vast regions without life-saving care.

Despite efforts by the Yemeni government and international partners to deploy rapid response teams and supply medical equipment, the crisis continues to escalate. The World Health Organization has called for urgent funding and unrestricted humanitarian access to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic 2017–2020 outbreak.

As the epidemic spreads, calls are mounting for all parties to the conflict to prioritize public health over politics and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those most in need.