Yemen Complex Emergency

The ongoing civil war in Yemen has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, and the situation continues to deteriorate. In a nation of nearly 29 million, as many as 22 million need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. Two million Yemenis have been displaced and at least 10,000 have died. Faced with ongoing conflict, collapsing basic services and economic decline, 16.4 million people require assistance to obtain healthcare, of whom 9.3 million are in acute need. Only 50 per cent of health facilities in affected areas are functional. An international blockade and reliance on imported medicine and medical supplies has made it difficult to treat the growing health needs and contain a cholera outbreak. More than 1.2 million suspected cases of cholera and 2,500 associated deaths have been reported. Photo by REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah.

Americares continues to support our partners in Yemen as they meet critical health needs during the ongoing conflict, collapsing basic services, and economic decline. As many as 16.4 million people in Yemen require assistance to obtain healthcare, of whom 9.3 million are in acute need. Only 50 per cent of health facilities in affected areas are functional. Dengue fever is endemic in Yemen, with outbreaks reported in several governorates over the last 16 years. Recent heavy rainfall, disruption of water supplies, and scarcity of safe drinking water have contributed to the spread of mosquitoes in the affected areas, resulting in an upsurge in suspected dengue cases. Americares has mobilized FY2023 Yemen funding to support our partner’s dengue response. Americares recently provided support for our partner Yemen Aid to mobilize a 2-month response project to the dengue fever outbreak in the Taiz Governorate of Yemen. Activities will include the procurement and distribution of medicines to treat dengue fever and mosquito nets for targeted prevention in areas of highest vulnerability. In addition, Yemen Aid will conduct health education sessions to increase awareness of personal protection and prevention of dengue fever. Yemen Aid expects to reach 12,000 households, or roughly 84,000 people with the project.