Observers.France24.com: War, heatwave and a mystery illness strike Yemeni town

Al Hudaydah is one of the largest cities in Yemen [Local media has reported that there are about 3 million people living there, but there are no official statistics]. Since the war started, it’s expanded as thousands of people fleeing fighting in other regions have also taken refuge here. 

The hospitals here are overwhelmed. First, they’ve had to deal with the lack of electricity. 

They are also overcrowded because hundreds of ill and injured people arrive constantly from other provinces. Al Hudaydah’s main hospital has the largest dialysis centre in the country. About 50% of people with liver problems in Yemen come to this hospital for treatment. But the power cuts mean that sometimes patients have to wait for days before being able to undergo dialysis. 

I’ve heard numerous accounts of people dying because of lack of treatment in the past few days, but the authorities have refused to comment on this. 

That said, the situation has improved a little bit because the director recently managed to bring in several barrels of diesel to run the hospital’s electrical generators. A local businessman also donated a new generator. 

This heatwave has been especially difficult for the children. Many of them have contracted a skin disease that doctors haven’t yet been able to identify. I’ve heard accounts of people developing large blotches and pustules on their skin, which is alarming. 

Moreover, none of the schools have electricity even though the students are in the midst of exam period. Sometimes, there are up to a hundred students in a classroom, without even a fan. A lot of the boys have been going to school without shirts on. 

 

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Rasha Jarhum رشا @RashaJarhum

Hot & blackout won't stop students in #Hodiadah #Yemen 2 get an education.

16:23 - 29 Mai 2016

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Because of the high temperatures, students were allowed to take off their shirts before taking their exams. 

Most people in Al Hudaydah have electrical generators but because there is also a diesel shortage, they can’t run them. Some people are trying solar panels, but they aren’t very efficient. They only produce enough energy to keep two fans running in a house. 

Voir l'image sur Twitter

 

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Hooria Mashhour @Hooria_Mashhour

يهدئ المواطن المغلوب على أمره طفله بالمتاح والمستطاع. ستحشرون في جهنم إن شاء الله بسبب هذا الظلم للناس #الحديدة

10:16 - 29 Mai 2016

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A father rigged up this fan, powered by a car battery, to relieve his daughter’s suffering.

This crisis has also led to a flourishing black market in diesel fuel. Many people accuse the authorities of being in cahoots with these dealers because they trade in broad daylight and no one stops them. Moreover, diesel fuel has become insanely expensive. A 20 litre jerrycan only lasts about two days and costs about 5,000 rials [equivalent to roughly 18 euros]. 

Hoping to get support from the international community, residents started a social media campaign using the hashtag (in Arab) “disaster in Al Hudaydah”. 

Voir l'image sur Twitter

 

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mohammed rajih @mohammedrajih

تضامن طلاب صنعاءمع طلاب #الحديدة المدينة التي تكتوي ليس بالحر وانعدام الكهرباءبل بنيران معاناةمعيشية لاتطاق!#اليمن

19:20 - 31 Mai 2016 · Yemen, Yemen

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Students in Sanaa took photos of themselves with bare chests to show their solidarity with the children in Al Hudaydah, who have to study in extreme heat.

 

Dozens of members of the Yemeni diaspora posed for photos with signs reading “Save Al Hudaydah.”