SITUATION UPDATE
Humanitarian space is shrinking rapidly in Yemen amid intensified fighting and insecurity. In the city of Taiz, clashes between armed parties have partially destroyed International Medical Corps’ office, rendering the facility unusable at present. Insecurity is limiting the ability of International Medical Corps staff to move throughout Taiz and has impeded access to emergency relief supplies and health facilities. Since August 24, armed groups have occupied the International Hospital in Taiz; patients, including those in the intensive care unit, are no longer in the facility and the whereabouts of most are unknown, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Of the three hospitals in Taiz City that International Medical Corps supports with medical supplies and essential drugs, one has closed due to conflict. Access to the remaining two hospitals—Al-Thawra and Al-Jumhori—are limited for both staff and people in need of care, and the facilities are only able to conduct limited services. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed for the establishment of a safe corridor to Taiz to provide access to health care for the governorate’s more than 3 million people, particularly given a reported spike in suspected dengue fever cases—from 145 suspected cases at the start of August to 421 suspected cases by August 25. The UN estimates that at least 95 civilians were killed, and 129 civilians were injured by shelling and airstrikes, between August 14 and 27. Currently, all major routes into Taiz Governorate are closed.