UN warns: Yemen's Taiz province faces humanitarian crisis

China News Service, Beijing, November 14th Comprehensive news: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Program and others warned on the 14th that the long-besieged Taiz province in Yemen is facing humanitarian crises such as food shortages and the spread of diseases.

The World Food Program stated on the 14th that most areas in Taiz Province have been classified as "facing hunger" emergency level. But currently, the agency's assistance cannot reach the more than 600,000 local people who rely on humanitarian assistance.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that public health services in Taiz Province are facing shortages, and nearly 250,000 people there do not have access to basic medical care, including more than 186,000 children under the age of 5.

According to reports, 12 hospitals in Taiz Province will be forced to close or have to reduce services due to lack of fuel and key supplies. At the same time, more than 1,400 cases of acute diarrhea and suspected cholera were reported locally within a week.

Qatar's Al Jazeera reported on the 14th, citing news from the health department in Taiz Province, that in the past four weeks, 5,228 cases of acute watery diarrhea, 232 suspected dengue fever cases and 182 suspected cholera cases had been reported locally.

According to reports, the number of local watery diarrhea cases has dropped compared with the previous statistical cycle, but medical experts pointed out that this may be due to road closures and rising transportation costs due to fuel shortages, making it increasingly difficult for patients to reach medical institutions for treatment, resulting in a decrease in the number of recorded cases. Local official agencies assess that due to the prolonged siege, the ability of patients in Taiz Province to go to hospitals has dropped by 60% to 70%.

Medical experts also pointed out that a large number of acute watery diarrhea and cholera cases are due to the use of unsafe water sources. Currently, local drinking water transportation is restricted, and only about 8% of water needs are met.

Medical experts also pointed out that the spread of the local dengue fever epidemic is related to the fuel shortage that prevents garbage trucks from transporting urban garbage in time. The dengue virus is spread by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water, and mountains of garbage create conditions conducive to mosquito breeding.