Sana'a – The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that cholera has claimed the lives of 201 people in Yemen since the beginning of 2025, with more than 72,000 suspected cases reported across the country.

In a statement released Friday, WHO officials warned that the outbreak continues to spread rapidly amid deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, limited access to clean water, and the collapse of public health services in conflict-affected areas. The organization emphasized the urgent need for international support to contain the epidemic and prevent further loss of life.

“Yemen remains one of the most vulnerable countries to waterborne diseases,” said Dr. Rana Hajjeh, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “The resurgence of cholera is a direct consequence of prolonged conflict, displacement, and the breakdown of essential services.”

The majority of cases have been recorded in densely populated governorates such as Al Hudaydah, Taiz, and Ibb, where health facilities are overwhelmed and medical supplies are scarce. WHO is working with local authorities and humanitarian partners to deploy rapid response teams, distribute oral rehydration salts, and expand access to clean water and sanitation.

This marks the latest chapter in Yemen’s struggle with cholera, which has seen recurrent outbreaks since 2016, affecting hundreds of thousands and straining the country’s fragile health system.