Press release Fuel running out in water pumping stations serving over 3 million people, half of them are children AMMAN/SANA’A, 19 December 2017 – Recent restrictions on imports of fuel to Yemen have sparked critical shortages and price hikes across the country, severely impacting access to safe water and other vital services for children including health care and sanitation.
The cuts are the latest challenge to containing Yemen’s acute watery diarrhea and cholera outbreak.
“This could not come at a worse time for the children of Yemen reeling from violence, malnutrition and an outbreak of diseases including acute watery diarrhea and cholera.” The cost of diesel fuel has doubled in just over one month, jeopardizing the provision of water particularly for the poorest families.
Prices of commercially trucked water – a main source for one fifth of Yemen’s population have skyrocketed.
On average, they have doubled while in some locations they increased six-fold.
“For over two thirds of Yemenis living in extreme poverty, safe water is now completely unaffordable,” added Cappelaere.
Over 385,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition and are fighting for their lives.
“Restrictions on humanitarian assistance and imports of lifesaving supplies must urgently be lifted to avoid Yemen spiraling even further into the abyss,” said Cappelaere.
“The children of Yemen have already suffered too much and for far too long.” ### About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children.
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