Taiz households stretch 10 liters of water over four days as prices jump 75 percent

Ten liters of bottled water, a standard daily amount for one family in Taiz, now lasts four days. This shift in consumption reflects a 75 percent increase in water prices over the past few weeks, according to local residents and aid organizations.

The surge in costs follows a tightening siege by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The conflict, which began in 2014, has escalated in recent months as the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha in September. That move secured control over Red Sea shipping routes and allowed the rebels to block supply trucks from entering Taiz. The restrictions have cut off access to nearby wells and reduced the operational capacity of local desalination plants due to fuel scarcity.

Truckers who continue the dangerous journey into the city have tripled their rates, further inflating the cost of delivered water. The water utility and desalination facilities are running well below capacity. These supply chain disruptions have pushed the city's more than 1 million residents toward crisis levels of scarcity.

The economic pressure extends beyond water. Cooking gas prices have quadrupled, and staples like flour and rice are 50 percent more expensive than in the summer. Families are buying water on credit and substituting cheaper fuels for heating. Some households now burn wood, charcoal, or cardboard to save money.

The strain is visible in local businesses and daily routines. Hadil al-Shahid, a hair salon owner, closed her shop as customers prioritized food and water. Her family now relies on a diet of rice, bread, and cheese. Ahmed Abdel Gaber, a construction hauler, reported that his income has become unstable, forcing him to rely on donations for meals.

Yemen's Taiz province has absorbed approximately 124,000 displaced people since August, according to United Nations migration experts. This influx has increased demand for limited resources. The United Nations has warned that disease risks, including cholera, are rising as families turn to unprotected wells. The government still holds the city center, but Houthi officials claim control of 80 percent of the surrounding countryside and several urban neighborhoods. The siege continues to complicate resupply efforts for government forces in the area.

Residents face daily risks from the conflict. Houthi missiles hit a residential area earlier this week, killing two teenage girls. Fighting occurs about five kilometers from some shelters, where displaced families hear explosions regularly. Despite these dangers, many remain in the city because leaving is not financially viable.