A/HRC/45/CRP.7 137. In addition, the closure of the Sana’a International Airport since August 2016 by order of the Government of Yemen and the coalition has precluded thousands of civilians from accessing necessary life-saving health care and treatment, and the delivery of medicine and humanitarian aid. A few exceptions were made but they remained insufficient to address the overwhelming humanitarian need. For instance, the airport was reportedly reopened for limited humanitarian purposes from 3 February 2020,175 with for example a medical flight transporting seven patients, and for shipments of goods after the floods in March-April 2020, as well as for essential medicines from mid-July 2020. On 14 March 2020, the Houthis announced that the airport would close for two weeks over concerns about the spread of COVID-19. However, its full re-opening continues to be linked to the peace negotiations. 138. In both Houthi and Government of Yemen controlled territories, as well as recently in STC controlled Aden, many civilians are without access to drinking water and electricity.176 For instance, the Group interviewed residents of Aden, including IDPs, who complained of their inability to access municipal water or the unreliability of such access.177 As a result, many people have been forced to buy water in canisters at a significant cost, thereby further limiting their already crippled purchasing power. This is particularly dire for IDPs and other vulnerable groups.178 139. The Group received allegations and collected further information on two specific incidents of water shortages in Aden and in Ibb.179 One case concerned the situation of people in the areas of Al-Qallo'ah, Al-Safi, and Al-Zaytoon near the highlands in Aden, who since September 2019, have not been receiving municipal water. Additionally, in these areas, water is allegedly being diverted for private use and profiteering. The residents of these areas and the highlands are forced to buy water they cannot afford and/or walk very long distances to retrieve water from other municipal pipes. Both the Goverment of Yemen and the STC claim that the water failures are simply due to challenges in infrastructure. However it appears they may be neglecting their duty to use maximum resources to provide water to these areas.180 140. As another example, in Ta‘izz, it has been reported to the Group that most houses do not have water in their pipes. This means that most people are relying on water trucks for water. The cost of this form of water supply is expensive, reportedly about six to eight times what it cost before the conflict. For those homes with water pipes, water is reportedly only provided, at most, for half of the month. In Government of Yemen controlled areas people can use new and old bank bills to pay for water from trucks and tanks, whereas in Houthi controlled areas, the new bills are not generally accepted, further crippling individuals’ purchasing power.181 141. The limited availability of water is having a detrimental effect on the health of civilians. Cholera cases are on the rise due to the lack of clean drinking water, while dengue fever and chikungunya are on the rise as people store water sources, harnessing whatever water they can find and thus encouraging mosquito spread diseases.182 Skin diseases are also increasing throughout Yemen because of the inability to access water.183 Moreover, in times of COVID-19, diminished access to water is of particular concern given the necessity of water for practicing proper hygiene routines and preventive measures. The COVID-19 case fatality ratio184 of 25 per cent in Yemen is one of the highest in the world. World Health Organization, “Journey to recovery: Yemeni patients get new lease on life in Jordan,”, February 9, 2019, http://www.emro.who.int/yem/yemen-news/journey-to-recovery-yemenipatients-get-new-lease-on-life-in-jordan.html 176 Confidential sources on file. 177 Confidential sources on file. 178 Confidential sources on file. 179 See also NHFR Report. 180 Confidential source on file. 181 Confidential source on file. 182 Confidential sources on file. 183 Confidential sources on file. 184 Case fatality ratio estimates the proportion of deaths among identified confirmed cases. 175 40