McGoldrick: The Onset of Cholera Is a Result of the Crisis in Yemen

YemenExtra

M.A.

The United Nations humanitarian representative in Yemen, Jimmy McGoldrick, said the Cholera epidemic is a result of Yemen’s ongoing crisis.

“The closure of Sana’a airport and the central bank, as well as the economic situation are the key factors in the emergence of epidemics,” he stated.

This occurred during a meeting in Sana’a with the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Mohammed Salem bin Hafiz, to discuss the epidemiological situation of acute watery diarrhea, including Cholera.

The meeting, which included representatives of various international organizations working in Yemen, focused on the mechanism of coordination and unification of efforts between the ministry and various agencies and organizations to counter the spread of Cholera.

A report was also observed during the meeting reading the epidemiological situation of Cholera during the period of 27 April to 13 May in the capital and the provinces, which revealed that the total cases of cholera suspicion amounted to eight thousand and 595 cases, while the total laboratory confirmed cases reached 213 and 115 numbered deaths in the capital Sana’a and the provinces of Sana’a, Hajjah, Dhale, Dhamar, Aden, Ibb, Taiz, Hudaydah, Reemah and Abyan.

Minister Ben Hafiz reviewed the hardships facing the Ministry of Health, especially regarding the lack of medicines, solutions and medical supplies as a result of the economic situation, the continued US-backed Saudi war and the unjust siege imposed on the country.

WHO, UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), MSF Switzerland and Spain, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Program and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) confirmed to be prepared to provide support and assistance in a number of areas, particularly in the fight against Cholera.