Emergency declared in Yemen after major cholera outbreak

A major outbreak of cholera has spread in the Yemini capital Sanaa which is controlled by Shiite rebels. Authorities there have declared a state of emergency in the capital.

The Huthi-run health ministry reported it was “unable to contain this disaster”. It also appealed for humanitarian support on international level in order to deal with the crisis, in a statement that released overnight.

Yemen is experiencing a devastating war between the Iranian-backed Huthis and the Saudi-supported government and less than of the country’s health facilities are involved with providing their services at the conflict for the two years. The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Sunday the cholera outbreak has killed 115 people and left 8,500 ill between April 27 and Saturday.

In a period of less than an year, this is the second outbreak of cholera in Yemen.