Taiz Families Cut Daily Water Use by Three Quarters as Houthi Siege Tightens

Residents of Taiz, Yemen, are now stretching a ten-liter supply of bottled water over four days, a drastic shift from their previous daily habit. This change reflects a sharp drop in available resources as Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensify their siege on the city. Aid organizations report that the water crisis has reached critical levels in recent weeks, leaving the needs of over one million residents barely met.

The cost of basic hydration has surged. Bottled water now costs up to 75 percent more than it did just weeks ago. Some households are resorting to purchasing supplies on credit to cover essential needs. Hadil al-Shahid, a resident with two young children, described the adjustment. Her family once used about 10 liters, or 2.6 gallons, of water daily for drinking and cooking. They now make that same amount last for four days. Al-Shahid stated that she stopped drinking coffee and tea, which were daily staples, to conserve the limited supply.

The physical infrastructure supporting the city is under strain. Access to local wells is restricted, and desalination plants are running short on fuel. Water trucks, which previously provided a steady supply, are largely blocked from entering the city. Truckers who still make the dangerous trip have tripled their rates in some cases. The water utility and desalination facilities are operating well below capacity as fuel reserves dwindle.

The squeeze on water is part of a wider economic pressure on Taiz's population. Grocery shortages have driven food prices up, with flour and rice costing about 50 percent more than in the summer. Scarce fuel makes it difficult to keep hospitals and sanitation services running, increasing public health risks. Cooking gas prices have more than quadrupled, according to Hani Bafaqih of the aid group CARE. In response, some families are burning wood, charcoal, or cardboard for heat and cooking.

Displacement has added to the pressure. Taiz province has absorbed an estimated 124,000 people displaced elsewhere in Yemen since August, according to United Nations migration experts. This group represents roughly half of all displaced persons in the country during that period. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for a UN emergency aid division, noted that many of these displaced families live in makeshift shelters or tents. Some survive on one meal a day. Laerke warned that the shortages feed into each other, making disease like cholera more likely as families use unprotected wells.

The siege has also disrupted livelihoods. Ahmed Abdel Gaber, who was displaced with nine relatives and is sheltering in the ruins of a building, said his income from hauling construction material is no longer steady. He relies heavily on assistance and donations to get food. Al-Shahid, who owns a hair salon, had to close her business as customers prioritized food and water. Her children now eat mostly rice, bread, and cheese.

The military situation continues to evolve. By August, Yemen had become a widening front in the conflict with Iran. The Houthis stepped up their advance on Taiz last month after capturing the port city of Mokha, which is about 130 kilometers away. Controlling Mokha is vital for managing Red Sea shipping. As the rebels took more land and roads, residents lost access to nearby wells and outside deliveries fell.

Government forces still hold the center of Taiz, but the siege complicates resupplying their troops. They face stiff resistance in the surrounding hills, particularly east of the city. Analysts say controlling Taiz is key if the Houthis want to push south toward Aden and Lahj. Ahmed Nagi of the International Crisis Group said any attempt to seize parts of the city would likely mean 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.

Civilians face direct danger from the fighting. Earlier this week, Houthi missiles hit a residential area in Taiz and killed two teenage girls. Abdel Gaber said he hears explosions daily from fighting about 5 kilometers away. His family will not return to their mountain village for safety reasons. Al-Shahid said she cannot afford to leave. She stated that staying in their home is inevitable, whether it is a matter of life or death.