The United Nations (UN) has called on donors to support relief agencies in Yemen to deliver crucial health assistance to more than 17 million people desperately in need due to the country‘s ongoing conflict, now entering its tenth year.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen highlighted on the “X” platform on Sunday that “17.8 million individuals in Yemen require health aid throughout 2024, with approximately 75% being children and women.”
In a statement released on World Health Day, the UN office emphasized the urgent need for funding to enable relief agencies to continue providing essential health services to those most in need.
The statement underscored that “Yemen cannot wait,” reflecting the dire situation on the ground.
For a decade, Yemen has been embroiled in a relentless power struggle between the internationally recognized government and the Houthi group, severely impacting various sectors, including healthcare.
International organizations estimate that only half of the health facilities in Yemen are operational, suffering from a severe shortage of medicines, equipment, and staff.
This appeal from the UN underscores the critical health crisis in Yemen and the immediate need for international donor support to alleviate the suffering of millions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Yemen faces the highest risk of diseases globally. This statement, shared via the “X” platform, highlighted Yemen’s extreme vulnerability to disease risks worldwide, especially amid the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Additionally, WHO collaborated with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health to conduct training aimed at reviewing early procedures to enhance early detection and rapid response, supported by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
