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.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium. In this YDR action, supported by EU Humanitarian Aid, NRC intervened to provide essential tools to displaced families living in collective shelters to protect themselves from cholera.
Shawqi Saif is from Taiz governorate and is a father of six children. He and his family have been displaced. Shawqi shared the impact of the lack of latrines in his community at Al-Rajihi camp. “Eight years ago, we fled our village,” he explained. He mentioned that due to the lack of latrines many people had no choice but to go to the toilet outdoors, out in the open.
Shawqi's family is among the 90 families in Al-Rajihi camp struggling with this issue of the lack latrines. At nighttime there are increased risks of going to the toilet out in the open, as people are exposed to snakes. For women in particular this risk is higher. “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.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium. In this YDR action, supported by EU Humanitarian Aid, NRC intervened to provide essential tools to displaced families living in collective shelters to protect themselves from cholera.
Shawqi Saif is from Taiz governorate and is a father of six children. He and his family have been displaced. Shawqi shared the impact of the lack of latrines in his community at Al-Rajihi camp. “Eight years ago, we fled our village,” he explained. He mentioned that due to the lack of latrines many people had no choice but to go to the toilet outdoors, out in the open.
Shawqi's family is among the 90 families in Al-Rajihi camp struggling with this issue of the lack latrines. At nighttime there are increased risks of going to the toilet out in the open, as people are exposed to snakes. For women in particular this risk is higher. “Snakes are a major threat: there have been incidents of people being bitten,” Shawqi adds.
In a country where cholera threatens millions, providing families with latrines is crucial for cholera prevention. So far NRC's intervention has made a significant difference with 276 latrines being constructed and 81 being rehabilitated, with more improvements underway.
“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 less risk of diseases.”
Families at Al-Rajihi collective site where Shawqi lives have endured severe water shortages for years now. Another resident, Ismail Shamsan, explained, “I’ve been here for four years, water has always been lacking, which 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.
Raising awareness about cholera prevention is essential, especially in collective sites where populations already have increased vulnerability. In Amran governorate, NRC conducted awareness sessions for over 140 displaced families in the Kharef camp. Hygiene kits were also distributed to these families, and they received essential training on cholera prevention .
“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.”
While NRC has helped displaced families in some camps around the country, cholera is still a threat to many displaced families.
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