Al-Thawra Net
United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that its population of concern in Yemen are 269,255 registered refugees, 9,087 registered asylum seekers, 2.18 million internally displaced people, and 1 million IDP Returnees. As a matter of fact, the cholera outbreak is particularly worrying for refugees.
On 6 October 2016, the Ministry of Public Health and Population announced the occurrence of cholera in Yemen. According to WHO, 2,070 suspected cases have been reported as of 1 November 2016; 67 have tested positive for Vibrio Cholera in Yemen.
UNHCR also pointed out that the cholera outbreak is particularly worrying for refugees, asylum seekers and local communities in Yemen, whose risks and vulnerabilities are compounded by the ongoing conflict and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“Access to safe water and sanitation is indeed essential to prevent and cure cholera,” UNHCR confirmed.
The report added that UNHCR’s response aims at preventing and controlling the outbreak by supporting health facilities for refugees and asylum seekers as well as their local host communities in Sana’a, Aden, Lahj and Shabwah governorates.”
