Coronavirus could spread faster, wider and with deadlier consequences in Yemen than many other countries in the world, the UN says. Here’s five reasons why.

1. It is a country still at war
Since 2015, Yemen has been devastated by conflict, leaving millions of people without access to proper health care, clean water or sanitation – crucial for preventing the virus from spreading.

Vital food, medical and humanitarian supplies have been restricted by a partial land, sea and air blockade put in place by a Saudi-led coalition of countries fighting Houthi rebels – while the rebels themselves have obstructed the distribution of aid.

Not having a central government in charge (rebels drove the government out of the capital and into the south of the country) makes coronavirus harder to contain.

Read More →