More than 180 people have died in Yemen at the Cholera. Karl-Otto Zentel of of the aid organization “Care” describes in a DW Interview, a disastrous shortcomings in the care of the population.
DW: Mr Zentel, they have been at the end of March, beginning of April in Yemen. What was the Situation there? The Red cross speaks of at least 184 people have died of the diarrheal disease Cholera, and warns of an epidemic. How is it come to this?
The Cholera epidemic is only a result of a since two-year conflict that has displaced millions of people. We are talking of three and a half million who were displaced within the country. Two-thirds of the population dependent on external assistance to survive. Half a Million children are malnourished.
Through the conflict, the public sector is collapsed. There is no functioning garbage collection, and more, the water supply is also a Problem as the power supply and the wastewater disposal. In Aden, in the South of the country, is complicated by the fact that a fierce battle took place actions. The city was first occupied by the Houthi rebels, and was then, by the troops of President Hadi, with international support, back to Robert. Aden is more destroyed than the capital, Sanaa.
Zentel: “The Cholera epidemic is only a result of a two-year conflict”
The healthcare system is completely broken. Before the war, the health care in many Places was free of charge. Now you must be – if any still exist – paid for. Millions of people have no income. The private sector no longer exists, public orders are missing. The purchasing power is missing and the money for imports. 90 percent of the staple food were imported in Yemen. The deficit now leads to a serious under-nutrition of many children and a malnutrition of many adults.
Due to the problematic water quality and the lack of health care for the sick to take the stand. As a result of the Cholera outbreak is now. It is not the first in Yemen. Last year we had the Situation already. At that time, the Cholera could be contained. Now a much larger Dimension seems to be emerging – we are talking of 2500 suspected cases.
Can be prevented a Cholera epidemic and what would be needed for this?
For one, it comes to prevention: “Care” has been distributed in the framework of programmes for Cholera-fighting hygiene packages: soap and detergent, for example, or bowls, so that people can wash their hands. We also give Hygiene courses, for example in schools. Problematic is also the sanitary facilities such as latrines. We take preventative measures to help ensure that diseases occur not so large an increase, or maybe not.
The already Ill should be offered treatment options. This requires appropriate medicines, infusion solutions, and of course the support of the health system. The Doctors need to get drugs, you must also be funded. You can’t expect people to make everything yourself. In Aden, many of the Doctors in the morning for free at a clinic. In the afternoon you deal in small private practices, against money, to be able to feed themselves.
Mountains of garbage in the Yemeni capital Sanaa: the civil war the public sector is collapsed
How exactly will your organization help?
“Care” is mainly in the area of Prevention. We give, for example Hygiene training. We provide clean drinking water and work in the sanitary area, because of the spread of the disease is prevented. When I was there now, just started the rainy season. Thus, faeces and so germs spread, and more. Through broken pipe lines, all the Dirt is washed out. Thus the danger that, so far, clean and safe sources of drinking water is also always – if you are be contaminated.
The government is doing something to the Cholera outbreak?
The Ministry of health has asked international organizations for help. This shows that since no resources are more available. The approximately two million employees in the public sector have been paid for eight months, no salaries. One of our staff in Yemen, says that his salary was enough half a year ago for himself and his family. In the meantime, his salary has to feed three families. Thus, one is not only the lowest income. It is related, were displaced by the fighting. You must somehow be supplied with power. This is not a good Basis on which to hold a public System up and Running.
More than two years of civil war, about 10,000 Dead and millions of people on the run: How do you see the future for Yemen?
I am, for various reasons, a little optimistic. We have this conflict that is already very complex, and longer back reasons. Add to that international Interactions with neighboring countries, which have intervened at the request of the officially recognised President. In addition, the interest of the International community on Yemen is very modest. This is mainly due to the geographical location.
And there are flows, not a refugee, because the border to Saudi Arabia is cordoned off. Next-door Oman, the sea, and opposite is because Somalia is – where are the people? The Yemenis are caught in their country.
Earlier, the men are each year, for a couple of months into the neighbouring country of Saudi Arabia traveled to earn as migrant workers money. The men in the villages have told me that you got along with this income, and what came from the fields. This possibility no longer exists, and in the cities, there is hardly any income opportunities. I’m afraid that it will not give the big impulse from the outside, it will probably need to create peace in Yemen, in the near future.
Karl-Otto Zentel is, since 2012, Secretary-General of the aid organization “Care”. Previously, he was managing Director of the German Committee for disaster reduction. He is a graduate Afrikanist and scholar of Islam and has recently travelled through Yemen.
The conversation Nastassja Shtrauchler.