Houthi siege in Taiz drives water costs up 75 percent
Residents of Yemen's third-largest city are rationing daily water intake to 2.5 liters as supply routes are blocked and infrastructure fails.
By Pedro Barnes ·
Water prices in the Yemeni city of Taiz have risen by as much as 75 percent in recent weeks, according to local residents and humanitarian organizations. The spike follows the tightening of a siege by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which has disrupted access to wells, desalination plants, and delivery routes for the city's more than 1 million residents.
Families are reducing daily consumption to survive. Hadil al-Shahid, who lives with her two young children, stated that they previously used about 10 liters of bottled water per day for drinking and cooking. They now stretch that same amount to last four days, which equates to a daily ration of 2.5 liters. Al-Shahid said the household stopped drinking coffee and tea, which were daily staples, to conserve supplies.
Financial strain is forcing some households to buy bottled water on credit. The cost increase has been sharp over the last few weeks, making a basic necessity increasingly difficult to afford for many families in the city.
The crisis extends beyond water supply. Grocery shortages have driven up food prices, with flour and rice costing about 50 percent more than in the summer. Fuel scarcity is hampering hospitals and sanitation services, while cooking gas prices have more than quadrupled, according to Hani Bafaqih of the aid group CARE. Some families are burning wood, charcoal, or cardboard for heat and cooking.
United Nations migration experts estimate that Taiz province has absorbed roughly 124,000 displaced people since August. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for a UN emergency aid division, noted that some of these displaced families live in makeshift shelters or tents and survive on one meal a day. Laerke warned that disease, including cholera, becomes more likely as thirsty residents turn to unprotected wells.
The military conflict has intensified in the region. The Houthis captured the port city of Mokha, about 130 kilometers away, last month before stepping up their advance on Taiz. As rebels took control of surrounding land and roads, residents lost access to nearby wells. Truckers who still navigate the dangerous routes have tripled their rates in some cases.
Ahmed Abdel Gaber, who is displaced with nine relatives in the ruins of a building, said his income from hauling construction material has become unstable. He stated that his family relies heavily on assistance and donations for food. Al-Shahid, who owns a hair salon, closed her business as customers prioritized food and water. Her children now eat mostly rice, bread, and cheese.
The government retains control of Taiz's center, but resupplying forces is complicated by resistance in the surrounding hills. Ahmed Nagi of the International Crisis Group said any attempt to seize parts of the city would likely result in a prolonged and costly battle. Three Houthi officials, speaking anonymously, claimed the group controls about 80 percent of the surrounding countryside and several neighborhoods inside the city.
Earlier this week, Houthi missiles struck a residential area in Taiz, killing two teenage girls. Abdel Gaber reported hearing explosions daily from fighting about 5 kilometers away. Al-Shahid said she cannot afford to leave her home, describing staying there as inevitable whether it is a matter of life or death.
Amnesty International has urged the Houthis to open roads into the city immediately. The organization warned that Taiz is being pushed to the brink of a severe humanitarian disaster as the siege continues.
