Taiz water crisis: Houthi siege drives costs up 75%

Yemen's Taiz province has long struggled with water scarcity, but humanitarian agencies report the situation has deteriorated into a crisis in recent weeks. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have tightened their siege around the city as fighting with government forces intensifies.

Aid groups state that the needs of Taiz's more than 1 million residents are barely being met. Access to local wells is restricted, desalination plants lack fuel, and water trucks are frequently blocked from entering the city.

Residents are adjusting to severe rationing. Hadil al-Shahid, who owns a hair salon, said her family once used 10 liters of bottled water daily for drinking and cooking. They now stretch that amount over four days. "We stopped drinking coffee and tea, which we used to drink daily," she said. Bottled water prices have risen by as much as 75% in recent weeks, prompting some households to purchase supplies on credit.

The siege has also impacted other essential services. Grocery shortages have increased food costs, while fuel scarcity hinders hospital operations and sanitation. Amnesty International urged the Houthis to open roads immediately, warning that Taiz is near a severe humanitarian disaster.

The conflict intensified after the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha last month. This move allowed them to control Red Sea shipping routes and expand their territory around Taiz. As rebels took nearby land, residents lost access to wells and outside deliveries. Truckers making the hazardous trip have tripled their rates, and utility plants operate below capacity due to low fuel levels.

Taiz province has absorbed an estimated 124,000 displaced people since August, according to United Nations migration experts. Jens Laerke, a UN spokesperson, noted that some families survive on one meal a day in makeshift shelters. Hani Bafaqih of the aid group CARE reported that cooking gas prices have more than quadrupled, forcing some families to burn wood, charcoal, or cardboard. Flour and rice costs are up approximately 50% from summer levels.

Ahmed Abdel Gaber, a construction material hauler displaced with nine relatives, said his income has become unstable. "We heavily rely on assistance and donations from people to get food," he said. Al-Shahid closed her salon as customers prioritized food and water. Her children now eat mostly rice, bread, and cheese.

Earlier this week, Houthi missiles struck a residential area, killing two teenage girls. Abdel Gaber hears daily explosions from fighting about 5 kilometers away. Al-Shahid said staying in her home is necessary regardless of the danger. "Staying in our home is inevitable," she said, "whether it be a matter of life or death."