Local Editor

Rubbish piling up on the streets of Yemeni towns is helping the spread of dengue fever and malaria, the Mercy Corps charity said on Wednesday, as fighting, baking heat and a lack of food and water add to their hardships.

 Rubbish lying in the streets has contaminated soil and water and attracted infectious pests, the US-based charity said. Mosquitoes carrying dengue fever and malaria breed and lay eggs in puddles.

Since the present US-led Saudi aggression began five months ago, at least 8,000 people in the port city of Aden have contracted dengue fever, cases of typhoid have been recorded and there are reports of malaria.

The country lacks basic supplies, and 80 percent of the population needs help to meet their basic needs - food, water, healthcare and shelter, according to the UN Development Programme.

A Saudi-led coalition backed by the United States has been carrying out deadly airstrikes against Yemen since March. The airstrikes have not been authorized by the United Nations [UN].