By Zakaria al-Kamaali

SANAA, Yemen

At least 473 Yemenis have died since a cholera epidemic broke out in capital Sanaa almost one month ago, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a report issued late Sunday, the WHO asserted that some 52,000 suspected cases of the disease had been recorded countrywide since April 27.

The report goes on to note that more than 13,000 suspected cases had been registered in 19 provinces of impoverished Yemen on Friday and Saturday alone.

International organizations -- including the WHO, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross -- have recently stepped up the delivery of medical supplies to Yemen, where local health authorities are struggling to cope with the outbreak.