WHO Reports 4,481 Casualties and 181,000 Displaced in Yemen Since August

The World Health Organization has reported a severe deterioration in Yemen’s humanitarian and health conditions, citing 4,481 casualties and over 181,000 displaced persons since the beginning of August due to escalating military conflicts in Lahj, Marib, and Taiz.

According to the fifth field report issued by the Health Cluster in coordination with the WHO, the death toll has reached 838, with the total number of casualties climbing by 800 in just one week. This surge represents an average of nearly 100 new injuries reported daily. The majority of these casualties were documented along the coastal regions of Bab al-Mandab and Ras al-Ara in Lahj province, followed by the active frontlines in Marib and Taiz.

The displacement crisis has intensified significantly, with the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) rising by more than 50 percent in just eight days. Currently, 180,513 people are displaced across ten provinces, residing in makeshift camps that lack essential services. Health officials have expressed grave concerns regarding potential outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever, particularly within camps located in the interim capital of Aden and along the western coast.

The report further highlights that medical facilities in conflict zones, particularly in Marib and Ras al-Ara, have been forced to suspend routine surgical and obstetric services to prioritize the treatment of war-related injuries. This shift in operations has placed unprecedented strain on medical staff and dwindling supplies, exacerbating the vulnerability of the civilian population.

In response to the crisis, the WHO, supported by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and international partners, has initiated the delivery of surgical kits and emergency medical supplies to the affected regions. Concurrently, the Yemeni Ministry of Health is spearheading efforts to mobilize urgent international aid to address the critical resource gap and prevent the complete collapse of essential health services.