Over 18.6 million Yemenis, more than half of the total population, currently need humanitarian assistance. Many are living in collective sites or camps for displaced people.
Fighting cholera: Prevention efforts for displaced families in Yemen
In such sites, cholera, a disease that can be potentially fatal, poses a significant threat. Lack of access to clean water, proper latrines and health education all contribute to the spread of this disease.
Between January and May 2024, Yemen reported 63,000 acute watery diarrhoea and cholera cases, with 7,353 confirmed as cholera cases, according to the World Health Organization.
Shawqi Saif, a father of six displaced children from Taiz governorate, is worried about the impact of the lack of latrines in Al-Rajihi camp. “Eight years ago, we fled our village and our home,” he explains. “Here, we’ve had no choice but to defecate outdoors.”
Shawqi’s family is among the 90 families in the camp struggling with this issue. Women face additional risks, as night-time defecation exposes them to the risk of snakebites.
“Snakes are a major threat: there have been incidents of people being bitten,” Shawqi adds.
In such sites, cholera, a disease that can be potentially fatal, poses a significant threat. Lack of access to clean water, proper latrines and health education all contribute to the spread of this disease.
Between January and May 2024, Yemen reported 63,000 acute watery diarrhoea and cholera cases, with 7,353 confirmed as cholera cases, according to the World Health Organization.
Shawqi Saif, a father of six displaced children from Taiz governorate, is worried about the impact of the lack of latrines in Al-Rajihi camp. “Eight years ago, we fled our village and our home,” he explains. “Here, we’ve had no choice but to defecate outdoors.”
Shawqi’s family is among the 90 families in the camp struggling with this issue. Women face additional risks, as night-time defecation exposes them to the risk of snakebites.
“Snakes are a major threat: there have been incidents of people being bitten,” Shawqi adds.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), supported by European Union Humanitarian Aid , intervened to provide displaced families in Yemen with essential tools to protect themselves from cholera.
Above all, NRC focused on giving families access to proper latrines. NRC’s intervention has made a significant difference.
“You can’t imagine how much a latrine can improve your life. Now we can use latrines anytime, with no threats of snakes like before and no diseases from being outdoors.”
Near Shawqi’s camp, Al-Rajihi collective site houses over 170 displaced families. For years, these families have endured a severe water shortage.
“I’ve been here for four years,” Ismail Shamsan, a displaced person, explains. “Water has always been lacking – but this leads to disease.”
NRC addressed this critical need by installing a new water point in the camp. This addition means that Ismail and the other displaced families now have adequate access to water.
In addition, raising awareness about cholera prevention is essential, especially in collective sites inhabited by vulnerable populations. NRC conducted awareness sessions for over 140 displaced families in Kharef camp, Amran governorate.
These families received essential training on cholera prevention, alongside hygiene kits.
“Lack of awareness was a major factor in the disease’s spread,” says Ali Fuad, a displaced person. “Now we know how to protect ourselves.”
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