Think for a minute, if you will, that in the course of reading this editorial, one more child in Yemen has contracted cholera and is now facing the greatest struggle of his or her young life to live. Or die. Sadly, that’s the grim reality now in the broken nation, where rebels backed by Iran have overthrown the legitimate government and wrought chaos, death and disease to their people. According to health officials from international aid and humanitarian missions in Yemen, one child every minute contracts the terrible disease, leading to the sudden onset of high temperatures, debilitating stomach cramps and pains, and the loss of all body fluids.
It’s an epidemic that is largely man-made, caused by the absence of safe water sources, poor malnutrition and difficult living conditions compounded by Al Houthis’ unwillingness to end their rebellion and adhere to peace conditions. What began as a rebellion against the rule of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi has now escalated across the country, where a Saudi Arabia-led international coalition — in which the UAE is proud to play its role — has the backing of United Nations Security Council resolutions to end the all-out conflict.
Urgent humanitarian and medical aid is necessary to turn back the tide of misery brought by this cholera epidemic — and given the chaotic conditions in rebel-held areas where food, water and other resources are scarce — only the international coalition has the means to ensure safety for those humanitarian groups. Effective medical aid can only be provided in areas under coalition control and where Al Houthis have relinquished their fruitless campaign.
The reality is that cholera is a disease that, under controlled and orderly conditions, can be easily monitored, treated and eradicated. Unfortunately, as chaos reigns in Yemen, cholera will be a threat.
