PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Yemen: Cholera (4 July 2017)

The current cholera outbreak in Yemen has been declared by the UN as the worst in the world. Since the start of the outbreak in April, over 250,000 cholera cases have been recorded with more than 1,600 deaths. Children make up 46% of the cases, which are still increasing at a rate of 6,500 a day.

In response, the UK has increased our funding for Yemen to £139 million for 2017/18. This includes support to tackle the underlying causes of cholera by helping provide emergency food, nutrition, health, water and sanitation, as well as supporting cholera prevention and providing medical supplies and treatment for those affected. In addition, the UK is helping to fund one million lifesaving cholera vaccines through GAVI, the Global Vaccine Alliance.

The UK is the second largest donor to the UN’s Yemen appeal, and continues active lobbying for a political solution as well for others in the international community to step up co-ordinated action and funding.