October 10, 2018
Today Is World Mental Health Day
Since 2015, Yemen has been engaged in a civil conflict that has displaced an estimated 2 million people.
The war between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels shows no sign of abating
The violence in Yemen has intensified since a coalition of Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, began bombing several regions (notably Sana’a and Aden), resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The conflict has destroyed the country’s health infrastructure including health centers and hospitals.
Doctors of the World has been active in Yemen since 2007, but increased our capacity in response to the conflict. We currently support 13 medical facilities in the governorates of Sana’a, Ibb, and Amanat Alasimah. We supply medical equipment, emergency assistance and essentials medicine to those in need. We also support mobile clinics that provide care to patients who cannot reach the health centers.
22.2 million
People in need of humanitarian assistance
400,000
Children suffering from acute malnutrition
2 million
Internally displaced Yemenis
Meet Wafa’a Alsaidy
General Coordinator of Emergency Operations in Yemen
Our teams work to support the Ministry of Health by providing primary healthcare services such as curative consultations, pre and postnatal check ups, routine immunization, malnutrition screening, psychological support and individual counseling. We also work to train national health staff and community health workers.
Due to the ongoing conflict, 17 million Yemenis – almost 60% of the population – are facing food insecurity due to an air and sea blockade. In 2017, the UN estimated that 7 million people were on the brink of famine. As a result, our teams are providing malnutrition screening and treatment for children in some of the worst affected areas in the south and west of the country.
In 2018 we’ve provided 45,000 primary healthcare consultations, screened 5,500 children for malnutrition & provided 15,000 people with mental health services.
In addition to violence and food insecurity, a cholera epidemic has swept the nation. There have been 900,000 suspected cholera cases since April 2017 and an estimated 2,192 people have died from the disease.
The International Red Cross has estimated that cholera cases could reach 1 million by 2018. Our Doctors of the World teams on the ground in Yemen are actively responding to the ongoing cholera crisis.
In 2018 we’ve provided 75,000 primary healthcare consultations, screened 9,00 children for malnutrition and provided 16,500 people with mental health services.