About 15 Million Yemenis Suffer From Water Shortage Amid Fuel Crisis - Oxfam
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 22, 2019 | 09:29 PM
About 15 million people in Yemen have experienced a water shortage since the price of fuel, needed for water filtering systems and trucks carrying safe water, rapidly increased, research by Oxfam, a UK-based confederation of charities for alleviating poverty, showed on Tuesday
In September, the civil war between the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-led coalition backed by the West led to a dramatic increase in fuel prices, which aggravated the humanitarian situation in Yemen. While petrol is needed for cars, it is also crucial for water pumps and trucks transporting major essentials such as safe water. As a result, many people who depend on water supplied by piped networks or trucked in by private companies were forced to considerably reduce their daily consumption.
"11 million people relying on water supplied by piped networks and four million people who depend on water trucked in by private companies have had to drastically reduce their daily consumption since fuel prices soared in September," Oxfam said.
According to the organization, central water systems in three major cities, Ibb, Dhamar and Al Mahwit, had to shut down completely.
As a result, millions of Yemenis can potentially be exposed to such deadly diseases as cholera.
"This fuel crisis is affecting every area of people's lives but none more crucial than the lack of clean water. For millions of Yemenis already struggling to survive hunger and disease, clean water is a lifeline that is now being cut," Oxfam's Yemen Country Director, Muhsin Siddiquey, said.
Oxfam has since installed piped water systems to supply thousands of people with clean water, which is a matter of life and death in Yemen.
Fuel supplies are an ongoing problem in the middle Eastern country. However, the situation has escalated dramatically since the internationally recognized government imposed extra restrictions on imports last month. The Houthi authorities have also placed restrictions on imports.
The Oxfam director urges the parties to end the restrictions to ease the situation in Yemen, known as one of the most water-scarce countries in the world.
The country is experiencing one of the worst cholera outbreaks in recent history, as many people do not have access to clean water. Since April 2017, over two million suspected cases of cholera and over 3,700 deaths have been registered.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11
PML-N ulema wing stresses punishment to May-9 culprits
No reprieve for perpetrators of May 9 arson attacks: PM
Punjab governor terms May 9 dark chapter in country’s history
Nadal squeezes past qualifier Bergs in Rome opener
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema chairs meeting with EDCF ..
Jinnah House attack: ATC grants bail to 7 accused
Under women empowerment plan, 1,600 lady cops recruited: IGP
All possible relief being provided to police personnel
IG Punjab provides house to family of another martyr
Commissioner Sukkur distributes gifts, flowers among thalassemia patients
Pakistan eyes green energy, technology cooperation with China in CPEC 2nd phase
More Stories From World
-
Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11
53 minutes ago -
Pakistan eyes green energy, technology cooperation with China in CPEC 2nd phase
58 minutes ago -
Charities warns Italy's ban on NGO planes risks lives
57 minutes ago -
Israel hits Rafah despite US warning on arms transfers
57 minutes ago -
Boeing plane leaves runway in Senegal injuring 11
57 minutes ago -
Israel says Biden threat to stop arms 'very disappointing'
57 minutes ago
-
Marquez eyes French MotoGP victory but plays down title talk
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
4 hours ago -
Spanish court shelves Shakira tax fraud case
4 hours ago -
North Africa football fans use stadium freedoms to back Palestinians
4 hours ago -
Rafah struck after Biden warning on arms transfers
5 hours ago