The Yemeni government says hospitals in the besieged city of Taiz are close to collapse as a Houthi blockade leaves fuel, medicines and medical supplies dangerously depleted.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Yemen's government says hospitals in Taiz are near collapse.
- A tightening Houthi siege has cut off essential supplies.
- Fuel, medicines and medical supplies are reported to be running alarmingly low.
- Medical services in the city risk shutting down entirely.
Medical services in the Yemeni city of Taiz are at risk of shutting down as a Houthi blockade leaves hospitals without the fuel, medicines and supplies they need to operate, according to the Yemeni government.
The government says the siege around the city has tightened, pushing healthcare facilities to the brink of collapse. With essential resources running alarmingly low, officials warn that the ability of hospitals to continue providing care is in serious jeopardy.
Fuel shortages are a particular concern for medical facilities, which rely on steady power to run equipment, maintain refrigeration for medicines and keep critical departments functioning. A lack of medicines and other supplies compounds the strain on an already stretched system.
The warning, reported by Al Jazeera, frames the situation in Taiz as a direct consequence of the blockade imposed by the Houthis, which the government says has choked off the flow of goods into the city.
The scale of the reported shortages raises the prospect that hospitals could be forced to suspend services, leaving residents of Taiz with limited access to medical care at a time of acute need.
Why it matters
When hospitals lose access to fuel and medicine, routine and emergency care alike can grind to a halt, putting civilian lives at direct risk. The reported crisis in Taiz highlights how blockades in conflict zones can turn into humanitarian emergencies that affect ordinary people far from the front lines.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Taiz hospitals at risk of shutting down?
According to the Yemeni government, a Houthi blockade has left hospitals short of fuel, medicines and supplies, pushing medical services close to collapse.
What supplies are running low in Taiz?
The Yemeni government says fuel, medicines and medical supplies are running alarmingly low under the Houthi siege.
Who is blamed for the crisis?
The Yemeni government attributes the shortages to a tightening Houthi blockade around the city, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Timeline
- Taiz hospitals near collapse as Houthis tighten siege: Yemen government
Al Jazeera: Medical services in Taiz risk shutting down as fuel, medicines, and supplies run alarmingly low under Houthi blockade.