An estimated 600,000 people in Yemen, or one in every 45, could contract cholera before the end of the year as the conflict-riven country struggles to contain the disease, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.

Speaking from the government-controlled city of Aden on Sunday, Peter Mauer warned that the “great tragedy is that this cholera outbreak is a preventable, man-made humanitarian catastrophe”.

"I find this needless suffering absolutely infuriating. The world is sleep-walking into yet more tragedy," he said.

The rapid spread of the disease is now the worst cholera epidemic in modern history.

Yemen cholera epidemic: Worst in modern history at 360,000 cases and counting

Since the first suspected case was recorded in March the outbreak has infected more than 360,000 people and killed almost 2,000.

The acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water is particularly dangerous for the old, young and those in poor health. It can kill rapidly if lost fluids are not replaced. Around a quarter of the dead so far are children under the age of 15, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said earlier this month.

While cholera is easily treatable – and preventable – with proper sanitation procedures, after more than two years of war, Yemen’s health, water and sanitation systems are on the verge of collapse.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

Less than half of the country’s medical centres are still functional, 14.5 million people don’t have regular access to clean water, and in several provinces health and sanitation workers have not been paid in months. Around 20 million of the 27-million strong population is reliant on humanitarian aid to survive and it is possible the current situation could also lead to the outbreak of other deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, the ICRC warned.

The circumstances have made it difficult for international aid organisations to operate. Last week, the UN said that up to one million doses of cholera vaccines may have to be diverted elsewhere thanks to logistical difficulties caused by the Saudi-led siege on the country.

Since March 2015, neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have carried out an extensive bombing campaign on Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels, who control the capital Sanaa at the request of the internationally recognised government of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Riyadh has also effectively closed down Yemen’s air and seaports, preventing the import of food and medicine.

“The world is sleep-walking into yet more tragedy … Further deaths can be prevented, but warring parties must ease restrictions and allow the import of medicines, food and essential supplies,” Mr Maurer added.