Yemen's latest conflict escalation is pushing its already fragile health system towards a "breaking point," with casualties and displacement rising while essential services face mounting pressure, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Annette Heinzelmann, WHO regional emergency director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that 4,481 casualties, including 838 deaths, have been reported since August 6, citing data from the health ministry in Aden.
More than 180,500 people have been displaced across 10 governorates, while over 3,600 Yemenis have crossed into Djibouti since September 10, nearly half of them children. Humanitarian partners are preparing for 5,000 to 10,000 arrivals in the coming weeks.
Heinzelmann said nine health facilities or assets have been damaged, forced out of service, closed or directly attacked in Taiz, Lahj and Al-Hodeidah.
Emergency obstetric and newborn care has also been suspended at two hospitals in Marib and Ras Al-Arah as staff and capacity have been redirected to trauma care.
Even before the latest escalation, only around 60 percent of Yemen's health facilities were fully functional, she said.
Disease outbreaks are compounding the crisis, with more than 22,000 suspected measles cases and 128 deaths reported this year, alongside 7,784 suspected cholera or acute watery diarrhoea cases and 9,604 dengue cases.
WHO has secured only $2 million of the $9 million required for its response, while stocks of some lifesaving supplies, including trauma kits and essential medicines, have already run out at its Aden warehouse.
