Houthi siege cuts Taiz off from water, forcing families to ration

Water scarcity in Yemen’s Taiz has moved from a chronic problem to an acute emergency in recent weeks. Humanitarian organizations report that the needs of the city’s more than 1 million residents are barely being met as Iran-backed Houthi forces tighten their grip on the area.

The siege has restricted access to wells, left desalination plants short on fuel, and largely blocked water trucks from entering. Families are now forced to stretch every drop. Hadil al-Shahid, who lives with two young children, once used about 10 liters of bottled water daily for drinking and cooking. She now makes that same amount last four days.

"We stopped drinking coffee and tea, which we used to drink daily," al-Shahid said by phone. The cost of living has risen sharply in response. Bottled water now costs up to 75% more than it did a few weeks ago. Some households are buying supplies on credit to keep their tanks full.

The pressure extends beyond water. Grocery shortages have pushed food prices up, while scarce fuel complicates the operation of hospitals and sanitation services. Amnesty International has urged the Houthis to open roads into the city immediately. The group warned that Taiz is being pushed to the brink of a severe humanitarian disaster.

The situation has worsened as the conflict with government forces escalates. The Houthis stepped up their advance on Taiz last month after capturing the port city of Mokha, which is vital for controlling Red Sea shipping. As the rebels took more land and roads, residents lost access to nearby wells. Truckers who still make the dangerous trip have tripled their rates in some cases.

Taiz province has absorbed roughly half of the people displaced elsewhere in Yemen since August. United Nations migration experts estimate that number at 124,000. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for a UN emergency aid division, noted that some displaced families live in makeshift shelters and survive on one meal a day.

Hani Bafaqih of the aid group CARE reported that cooking gas prices have more than quadrupled. Some families burn wood, charcoal, or cardboard to prepare meals. Fuel shortages have also hampered community kitchens and shut down waste collection. Laerke warned that disease, including cholera, becomes more likely as thirsty families use unprotected wells.

Flour and rice cost about 50% more than they did in the summer. Ahmed Abdel Gaber, who is displaced with nine relatives, said his income from hauling construction material is no longer steady. "We heavily rely on assistance and donations from people to get food," he said. Al-Shahid, who owns a hair salon, had to close it as customers prioritized food and water.

The government still holds the center of Taiz, but the siege complicates resupplying its forces. Analysts say controlling the city is key if the Houthis want to push south. Ahmed Nagi of the International Crisis Group said any attempt to seize parts of the city would likely mean a prolonged and costly battle.

Earlier this week, Houthi missiles hit a residential area in Taiz, killing two teenage girls. Abdel Gaber hears explosions daily from fighting about 5 kilometers away. Al-Shahid cannot afford to leave. "Staying in our home is inevitable," she said, "whether it be a matter of life or death."