More than 2,000 new cases reported every day, with 25% of those affected being children under five

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Yemen is facing a massive resurgence of cholera in what was already one of the world’s worst outbreaks, with more than 137,000 suspected cases and almost 300 deaths reported in the first three months of this year.

With well over 2,000 suspected cases being recorded every day – a doubling since the beginning of the year – aid agencies fear they could be facing a major new health crisis.

Amid mounting concern over the return of the epidemic – which first broke out in the war-devastated country in 2016 – aid agencies are reporting cases in 21 out of 23 governorates, with children under five making up a quarter of those affected.

Despite the spread, however, the outbreak has been worst in six governorates, including in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, and Ibb, in the south of Yemen, according to Save the Children.

The latest surge in cholera cases threatens to further complicate the already dire humanitarian situation.

The spread of the waterborne disease has been exacerbated by the collapse of Yemen’s health system, in a country where 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation services.

Although the alarm had already been raised in February and March over cases, which had reached 1,000 a day, by April health workers were reporting an increase of close to 150% since then.

According to World Health Organization data released this month, more than 108,000 cases had been reported this year until 17 March, in comparison with 371,000 cases in the whole of the last year, with the trend of suspected cases up 24%. The figures are edging closer to those of the 2017 outbreak, when 1 million cases were reported.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Yemenis at a cholera treatment centre in Sana’a. Photograph: Mohammed Huwais/AFP/Getty Images

The prospect of a major new cholera epidemic, exacerbated by both the advent of rains and the difficulties for humanitarian workers in reaching conflict affected areas, comes with no end to the violence in sight.

The warnings coincide with the decision by President Donald Trump on Tuesday to veto a resolution passed by Congress to end US military assistance in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen – seen as a significant political message.

“This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future,” Trump wrote in explaining his veto.

The US provides billions of dollars of arms to the Saudi-led coalition fighting against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen with members of Congress expressing concern about the thousands of civilians killed in coalition airstrikes since the conflict began in 2014.

The fighting in the Arab world’s poorest country has also left millions suffering from food and medical care shortages and has pushed the country to the brink of famine.

David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid group, said: “This veto by President Trump is morally wrong and strategically wrongheaded. It sets back the hopes for respite for the Yemeni people, and leaves the US upholding a failed strategy.”