Aden — Yemen has been ranked as the world’s second most affected country by cholera, following Afghanistan, amid a surge in suspected cases that underscores the depth of the nation’s public health crisis.

According to the latest epidemiological update from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN agencies, Yemen recorded over 81,000 suspected cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhea between January and September 2025, along with 225 confirmed deaths. 

This alarming rise places Yemen just behind Afghanistan in global cholera prevalence.

Health officials report that the outbreak has spread across multiple governorates, with the highest concentrations in densely populated and flood-prone areas. 

The collapse of Yemen’s healthcare system, compounded by years of conflict and displacement, has left hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of patients.

Experts warn that the crisis reflects a dangerous convergence of factors: poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and weakened health infrastructure. 

International agencies have called for urgent support to contain the epidemic, stressing that Yemen’s fragile system cannot withstand prolonged waves of infection.

“The scale of Yemen’s cholera outbreak is a stark reminder of how conflict and poverty magnify health emergencies,” one humanitarian official noted. 

“Without immediate intervention, the disease could spread further and deepen the humanitarian catastrophe.”

The ranking highlights Yemen’s vulnerability to preventable diseases, reinforcing calls for sustained international aid and stronger government measures to restore basic services.