WIREDGOV

“The cholera outbreak in Yemen continues to spread at an alarming speed. Over 124,000 cases have been recorded – almost half of them are children.

“Children continue to bear the brunt of the war in Yemen. Many who have become ill or have died from cholera were suffering from malnutrition. At least 923 people have died from the disease since late April. Children account for one quarter of the deaths.

“The cholera outbreak is overwhelming what remains of Yemen’s conflict-battered health system. Hospitals and treatment centres are struggling to cope with the large number of patients coming in from across the country. Medicines and intravenous fluids are quickly running out.

“But despite these massive challenges, health workers have spared no effort in responding to the emergency – even when their salaries have not been paid for nearly nine months.

“Without an urgent solution to pay health workers, more children will die – no matter how much humanitarian aid is delivered to the country.

“With no end in sight to the conflict, the cholera outbreak – and potentially other disease will continue to stalk the lives of children.”

For more information:

Unicef UK Press Office, media@unicef.org.uk, + 44 (0)207 375 6030

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk