An unknown disease has swept through towns in Ibb governorate in southwestern Yemen, killing hundreds of livestock.

The disease outbreak has mainly affected cattle in Ibb’s western Far’a Al-Odain district, according to residents, who said the loss has hurt their livelihoods, as the animals represent an important source of income.  

Five years of war has wreaked havoc on all aspects of life in the country, leaving nearly 80 percent of Yemen's population dependent on humanitarian assistance. About 15.9 million people in Yemen wake up hungry every day, according to the World Food Programme, which estimates that in the absence of food assistance, that number would rise to 20 million.