Riyadh: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman has donated $66.7 million to fight against the cholera epidemic in Yemen.
According to the statement by Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information, this donation went to the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Ministry further said that this donation will help in combating cholera in Yemen by water, sanitation and healthcare activities.
As per WHO, the number of suspected cases of the disease reached 179,548 till 20th June. 1,205 deaths are also reported. This disease is caused by contaminated water and food. It is also caused by faeces.
According to Reuters report, Stephen O’Brien, U.N. humanitarian chief termed the cholera outbreak as a “man-made catastrophe” caused by the civil war which killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 million.
As per diplomats and analysts, Prince Mohammed, who is a defense minister, is the person behind the Saudi Arabia’s decision to launch military action in Yemen.
It may be mentioned that Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, President of exiled Yemeni government who is backed by the Saudi-led coalition, is trying reclaiming the lost control over northern Yemen including Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, which is now controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi group.