The number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen this year hit 500,000 on Sunday, marking a grim milestone in the spread of the disease across the war-ravaged country. Almost 2,000 people have died since April, when the disease’s spread began to accelerate, according to the World Health Organization. Last month, the international health agency announced that it was suspending plans to deliver doses of oral cholera vaccine to Yemen because of security, access and logistical challenges. Two years of conflict between pro-government forces and Shiite Muslim Houthi rebels have laid the groundwork for unhealthy conditions, according to humanitarian aid workers. The United States has been criticized for selling arms to Saudi Arabia, which leads an Arabian military coalition in support of Yemen’s government and has been accused of killing civilians in indiscriminate bombings.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 14, 2017 20:11 UTC