Tag Archive for: Poverty In Yemen

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Digital Libraries In Yemen Are Rebuilding Education

digital libraries in YemenKnown for conflict and war, Yemen is a country whose children are facing the education crisis perpetuated by guns. In some regions, economic issues and poverty prevent children from receiving education.. Yemen faces denial in education because of war and conflict, which in turn leads to poverty and infrastructure issues.

However, alongside massive initiatives, there is a smaller yet effective solution that is arising from the rubble. Digital libraries, libraries that offer educational resources from the cloud, in Yemen, are slowly giving education back to Yemeni children, a right that has been denied for so long.

The Crisis

Ever since conflicts started in the Yemen region, more than 2 million Yemeni children do not have access to education and have had to leave school. Education in Yemen faces both infrastructure issues due to the destruction of buildings and economic issues, as the economy of Yemen grapples with war.

The situation was dire as teachers were seen displaced from their classrooms, and the lack of supplies made the learning process nearly impossible. Additionally, a crucial piece of education infrastructure, electricity, is scarce, leaving even more educational initiatives out of reach for students.

However, digital libraries in Yemen offer a unique solution that provides a step towards the right direction.

A Solution

Digital libraries in Yemen offer a gold mine of offline and rewarding educational content. Initiatives like Rumie and Worldreader preload these digital libraries onto low-cost tablets or mobile phones that provide language books, STEM lessons and more.

These apps all run on affordable mobile devices, which students can update via Bluetooth or micro-SD card transfer, without requiring internet or electricity. Through these devices, students in Yemen are able to gain access to crucial pieces of literature or educational materials that they would have not been able to without digital libraries in Yemen.

The Impact

Long-term solutions are difficult, yet smaller solutions, such as digital libraries, provide a step in the right direction. By restoring access to education, these digital libraries can give opportunities to children to regain daily reading practice. This reduces dropout rates in a time of conflict, and digital libraries in Yemen serve as a temporary solution in an ongoing issue.

With that in mind, more initiatives just like digital libraries in Yemen not only provide a face-value impact to students in Yemen but a further motive for other organizations to put their part within the region.

While a single tablet may be able to serve a couple of children, a single tablet also encourages other organizations to provide more tablets. Through these impacts, digital libraries provide an exponential step towards restoring the educational rights of Yemen.

Restoring education in Yemen could have broader impacts on the economic crisis, conflict crisis, and general wellbeing of the Yemeni population. With the time being, digital libraries in Yemen and other initiatives will continue to serve children and Yemen as a whole.

– Kallen Zhou

Kallen is based in Hattiesburg, MS, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solar Power in Yemen Eases Energy Crisis

Solar Power in YemenIn many ways, the civil war has plunged Yemen into darkness. Over a decade of conflict has resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths, severe economic downturn and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. As of 2021, 82.7% of Yemenis were living in multidimensional poverty. Yet the country’s future is not entirely dark. Here are three ways solar power in Yemen is bringing literal and figurative light to communities nationwide.

Clean Water in Al Maqatirah

Finding clean water has been a challenge for many Al Maqatirah District residents. An outdated system lacking functionality and the high cost of diesel fuel created a difficult choice: pay for expensive and potentially unsafe local water or travel long distances to buy it from somewhere else.

Thanks to a 2025 project sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and several partners, 5,827 Yemenis no longer face this dilemma. The old pipelines have been replaced by a solar-powered water system that provides immediate access to reliable drinking water and sets Al Maqatirah toward long-term sustainability. This project is a clear example of the humanitarian potential of solar power in Yemen.

Powering Livelihoods in Al-Ghaydah

Meanwhile, the city of Al-Ghaydah struggled with an entirely different problem. Climate instability, rising fuel prices and energy shortages threatened the Bawazier Ice and Fish Preservation Factory operations. The facility is a critical part of the coastal community, which relies heavily on fresh fish for sustenance and employment. Without a way to preserve their catch, fishermen risked losing their livelihoods and families their dinners.

Recognizing the urgency, the World Bank, UNDP and Yemen’s Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Service stepped in with a solution. In 2023, they gave the factory a grant, allowing it to transition 25% of its energy to solar power. This reduced reliance on diesel has enhanced efficiency, lowered monthly energy costs by $875 and created new job opportunities. As a result of this successful model of solar power in Yemen, higher-quality fish is now sold at lower prices and a community vulnerable to changing climatic conditions has become more sustainable.

Keeping the Lights on in Hospitals

Ensuring hospitals remain operational is essential, particularly in a country where 21.6 million desperately need humanitarian aid. However, 46% of Yemen’s health care facilities are either partially operational or completely out of service. A driving force behind this number is a long-standing energy crisis, which has significantly inhibited hospitals from giving patients the care they desperately need.

Once again, solar power in Yemen provides a source of hope. Through a partnership between the UNDP and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, four hospitals have been provided with renewable energy systems. This project hopes to see Yemeni patients receive high-quality health care by installing solar panels that keep the lights on. Enabling their communities to become cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

A Brighter Future for Yemen

As these examples show, solar power in Yemen has the potential to make a substantial difference in the lives of some of the world’s most impoverished citizens. It could help provide clean drinking water to the 18 million people without access. It could put food on the table for the 17 million suffering from severe malnutrition. Furthermore, it could also curb outbreaks of preventable infectious diseases that fuel the humanitarian crisis. In a country plagued with hardship, renewable energy illuminates a path forward.

– Caroline Clark

Caroline is based in Needham, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Yemen’s Pervasive Health Care Crisis: Diseases Impacting Yemen

Yemen’s Pervasive Health Care Crisis: Diseases Impacting Yemen It has been more than a decade since the Yemeni civil war has thrust Yemen into one of the most dire humanitarian crises in modern history. Many of Yemen’s hospitals have collapsed or are now severely damaged by the prolonged political crisis, plunging Yemen’s health care system into a complete state of distress. As a result of its current state of political, economic and overall societal turmoil, 15.3 million Yemenis have no access to clean water, sanitation systems or hygiene supplies, leaving the majority of citizens at risk of exposure to diseases like cholera, diphtheria and measles. With a decline in feasible hospital facilities, sanitation systems and hygiene supplies, the risk of disease exposure has become even more probable in Yemen. Below are statistics highlighting diseases currently impacting Yemen and efforts that can potentially alleviate its current health care crisis.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Neglected tropical diseases are diseases that stem from a combination of environmental conditions, poor sanitation infrastructure and poor health care conditions. Malaria, dengue fever, cholera and schistosomiasis are among only some of the most common NTDs. In 2022, an estimated 110,000 cases of malaria were reported in Yemen; there were more than 2.5 million suspected cases of cholera, accounting for the largest case of cholera ever reported. There have been annual reports of thousands of cases of dengue fever. These statistics cover only a fraction of NTD cases that currently taint Yemen’s health care system and are a product of its state of political strife, while simultaneously compounding Yemen’s current humanitarian crisis. 

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is one of the current prime causes of disease risk in Yemen. More than 18 million Yemenis currently struggle with food insecurity and at least 80% of its civilians currently live below the poverty line. More than 45% of children in Yemen suffer from malnutrition and the poverty crisis has left millions of Yemenis at risk of neurological, chronic and other long-term diseases like cystic fibrosis, renal failure, congenital heart disease and neuromuscular diseases.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 completely exacerbated Yemen’s already severe health care and economic crisis. Due to Yemen’s severed health care system, there were only six COVID-19 testing sites available, a fairly limited amount of available protective equipment and a lack of health care professionals equipped to handle the consequences of the pandemic. The disruption of COVID-19 also caused a 19.6% decline in the influx of remittances, sequentially leading to an average 20% household income reduction. While the COVID-19 crisis has since smoothed over, the economic disruption has continued to pervade civilian life, as the percentage of Yemeni civilians susceptible to acute malnutrition and long-term chronic illnesses has increased since the start of the pandemic.

Looking Forward

While tragedy still persists in Yemen, there have been many initiatives dedicated to halting its humanitarian emergency. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently providing medical aid to around 12.6 million people in Yemen, with an emphasis on alleviating acute malnutrition, improving maternal health care and improving disease surveillance, amongst many other focuses. 

UNICEF has also contributed to efforts in increasing health care services by providing primary medical care as well as vaccines, medical equipment and training. Doctors Without Borders has brought medical professionals to Yemen to support hospitals, health facilities and governorates throughout the country as well. The organization’s doctors have also been focusing on “maternal and child health, specialist and emergency care and responding to malnutrition and outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and measles”. Through the efforts of Doctors Without Borders, medical teams in Yemen have admitted 165,200 people to hospitals, conducted 26,900 surgical interventions, enrolled 11,900 children in feeding programs and treated 12,800 patients for measles.

While many humanitarian organizations and nonprofits have contributed to alleviating diseases currently impacting Yemen, issues persist. Sustained humanitarian aid to countries like Yemen depends on continued advocacy to keep the issue a priority for lawmakers. This support is essential for achieving long-term, measurable change.

– Ava Lachini

Ava is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Disability and Poverty in Yemen: What NGOs Are Doing Right Now

Disability and Poverty in YemenBombing, blockades and economic collapse have pushed Yemen into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Disability and poverty in Yemen are deeply intertwined with 82.7% of Yemenis now living in multidimensional poverty as of 2023. Amid this emergency, at least 4.5 million people (about 15% of the population) live with a disability, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. Poverty and disability interact in a vicious cycle: conflict injuries and chronic conditions raise household expenses while stigma and inaccessible services block income opportunities.

Intersecting Barriers

Destroyed roads, damaged bridges and collapsing health facilities isolate rural districts. Families often travel for hours to reach the nearest functioning clinic, only to discover medicine shortages or unaffordable fees. Children with disabilities rarely enter classrooms because buildings lack ramps, teachers lack training and transport costs exceed family budgets. A 2023 policy study found that the Ministry of Education and the Social Fund for Development must still reach 70% of rural areas with inclusive services. Exclusion starts early and lasts a lifetime, trapping entire households in chronic poverty.

Poverty and Disability by the Numbers

War continues to expand these figures. Landmines, air-delivered munitions and improvised explosives have caused thousands of amputations since 2015, swelling rehabilitation queues and deepening poverty gaps. Disability and poverty in Yemen continues to reinforce each other with every passing year of conflict.

NGO Response: Humanity & Inclusion

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) returned to Yemen in 2014 and built a nationwide rehabilitation network. Between 2015 and 2024, HI:

  • Delivered rehabilitation sessions to 42,500 people injured or disabled by the conflict
  • Fitted 660 people with prosthetic or orthotic devices
  • Supplied 43,200 mobility aids such as crutches and wheelchairs
  • Trained 820 Yemeni health workers in disability-inclusive care
  • Provided psychosocial support to 29,800 survivors of violence and displacement

HI teams operate inside hospitals in Sana’a, Hajjah, Aden, Lajih and Taizz. Mobile outreach units extend care to frontline villages where no other provider can travel safely. By pairing physical rehabilitation with mental-health counselling, HI helps survivors regain mobility, return to school or work and reduce their dependence on cash assistance.

Government and Donor Action

While NGOs rebuild individual lives, large-scale income support remains critical. The Emergency Cash Transfer Project, which Yemen’s Social Welfare Fund launched with support from UNICEF and the World Bank’s International Development Association in August 2017, channels quarterly payments to every district in the country. By May 2018, the program had reached 1.5 million of the poorest families—about 9 million people or one-third of the population.

Each household receives the local-currency equivalent of $30 USD, a sum that covers staple foods and basic medicines and keeps children in school. Because registration lists include people with disabilities, the project injects direct purchasing power into some of the most excluded households.

Inclusive Education

The Social Fund for Development works with the Ministry of Education to expand inclusive schooling. By late 2024, the partnership had integrated children with disabilities into 400 public schools through teacher training, resource rooms and small-scale infrastructure upgrades.

Although coverage remains uneven, the initiative demonstrates how low-cost adaptations—braille textbooks, sign-language modules and community-based rehabilitation volunteers—can open classrooms and reduce long-term dependency.

Toward an Inclusive Recovery

Conflict still blocks Yemen’s path to stability, yet targeted interventions prove that progress is possible. Humanity & Inclusion restores mobility and dignity one patient at a time. The Emergency Cash Transfer Project prevents destitution for millions and keeps the economy alive at neighborhood level. Government-supported inclusive education starts to break the link between disability and illiteracy. Donors and policymakers can scale these models by:

  • Funding additional rehabilitation centers and prosthetic workshops in underserved governorates
  • Increasing cash-transfer amounts to match inflation and prioritizing recipients with disabilities
  • Embedding accessibility standards in every reconstruction contract

Yemen cannot afford to rebuild without its most vulnerable citizens. A recovery strategy that places people with disabilities at its center will not only cut poverty but also strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience. The numbers show that inclusive solutions already work; sustained investment will multiply those gains and move Yemen closer to a future where disability and poverty in Yemen no longer dictate a person’s fate.

– Nafeesah Rahman

Nafeesah is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Food Systems in Yemen

Food Systems in YemenYemen is enduring one of the most severe and unprecedented humanitarian crises of the 21st century. After years of economic collapse, political corruption and civil war, around half of the population now depends on humanitarian aid to survive. Here is information about the food systems in Yemen and efforts to improve them amidst the country’s crisis.

A Nation in Crisis

In the wake of decades of tribal alliances, the pursuit of land and misuse of national resources, the people of Yemen are suffering among the most complex conflicts in the Middle East, with around a total of 20 million Yemenis facing inadequate access to clean water, sanitation or hygiene services.

Following over a decade of conflict, a UN report estimates that the total death toll stood at 377,000, with at least 150,000 killed as a direct consequence of violence by the beginning of 2022. Many more have since perished due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

With a rapidly rising population, widespread poverty and major damage to public infrastructure, food prices in Yemen have also soared by 300% in the last 10 years with families in rural areas and those displaced among the worst affected.

Ranked 10th lowest on the Human Development Index (HDI), food shortages are now at an all time high with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases constantly being exacerbated by scarcity and poor nutritional standards.

Food Insecurity in Yemen

While Yemen hosts some of the most fertile land in the Arabian peninsula, the economic, social and environmental functions of its agriculture are being shattered. 

Once a thriving agrarian society, Yemeni agriculture is not just an important economic sector, but a way of life that is under imminent threat. With around one in two children under the age of 5 facing malnourishment, this decline is directly affecting food security throughout the region.

Due to these challenges, Yemen is increasingly reliant on imported food supplies with around 90% of its wheat acquired overseas. Here, an ongoing Saudi-imposed naval blockade is also majorly compounding scarcity and starvation due to the ongoing conflict. 

Despite the risks of famine and poverty spreading, around 30% of Yemen’s national irrigation water is currently used to grow Khat, a mild stimulant that not only uses up valuable water but also crowds out food crops as climate change decreases access to arable land.

Reviving Family Farming in Yemen

In line with a report from the United Nations in 2022, the fragmented Yemeni government is now endorsing a plan to develop its family farming industry, identifying agro-ecological conditions and improved knowledge and access to terrain and markets as key drivers for future agricultural developments.

In light of Yemen’s growing dependence on imports, improved domestic farming has the potential to contribute more significantly to the nation’s long-term food security, as its real gross domestic product (GDP) could potentially fulfill up to 25% to 30% of its needs.

Though improving food systems in Yemen remains a formidable challenge, greater efforts are now being taken to allow local farmers to engage more comprehensively in these processes, with strategies tailored to the obstacles they are facing in their everyday lives.

Yemen’s Fishing Industry

Prior to the war, the fishing industry was Yemen’s second largest export, employing more than half a million people. With financial support from the European Union, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is now actively supporting the coastal community in Aden and other areas in the south. 

With a coastal strip extending around 2,500 kilometers, fishing is re-emerging as a promising sector in improving Yemen’s food supply, enriching nutrition levels whilst stimulating the economy through increased trade.

For instance, a fish market at Al Hotta Lah was recently rebuilt and is now in use after being destroyed during the war. Around 100 tonnes of fish are sold there per month with an estimated value of $18,000 and more than 100 traders and retailers using it daily.

As a result, understanding the roles of local traders, farmers and fishermen in improving Yemen’s food systems is underpinning the importance of combining humanitarian relief with development responses that can support small businesses and empower local economies at a time of growing crisis.

In any case, as the humanitarian disaster persists, it has become clear that improving Yemen’s fishing and agriculture must play a vital role in improving food systems in Yemen, whilst also assisting the economic and social conditions of a nation ravaged by war and political uncertainty.

– Gabriel John Gunn

Gabriel is based in Paisley, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Satellite Technology Combating Yemen’s Drought Crisis

Satellite Technology Combating Yemen’s Drought Crisis Years of conflict in Yemen have destroyed vital infrastructure, leaving 20.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid, including 15 million without reliable access to clean water. The severity of these conditions has raised the demand for innovative solutions such as satellite technology.

Satellite technology sparks hope as a pivotal tool in transforming humanitarian disasters, enabling remote sensing to monitor, assess and respond to water scarcity. It creates access to clean water through satellites capturing vital data on rainfall patterns, soil moisture and land use, providing updated insights in a country with limited on-the-ground access. Thus, integrating satellite technology to combat Yemen’s drought crisis could lay the groundwork for long-term resilience in one of the world’s most water-insecure regions. 

Yemen’s Ongoing Water Shortage

Yemen faces one of the most severe water crises worldwide, with groundwater depletion occurring at twice the natural recharge rate. The cultivation of Qat, which consumes more than 40% of the country’s renewable water resources and 32% of all groundwater withdrawals, is a major driver of the depletion. Nearly 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation services. Conversely, the national water network reaches less than 30% of the population, forcing many, especially women and children, to walk long distances only to fetch water. Overall, this scarcity has triggered major health crises, including the worst cholera outbreak in modern history, with more than 2.5 million reported cases and at least 4,000 deaths since 2016.

The ongoing conflict and political instability have further exacerbated water access and management, as infrastructure deteriorates and institutional oversight weakens, aggravating the crisis of water scarcity and aridity. The International Committee of the Red Cross has responded to this issue by rehabilitating boreholes and water stations, allocating chlorine tablets and supplying more than 3 million liters of water with 17 generators to prisons, hospitals and water projects to help reduce waterborne disease outbreaks. Despite these critical interventions, the continuous droughts highlight a growing humanitarian call for global concern driven by environmental, social and political challenges that demand urgent, coordinated action through satellite technology to combat Yemen’s drought crisis.

Remote Sensing Water Displacement

Advancements in satellite technology are revolutionizing Yemen’s approach to managing its prolonged water crisis. With nearly 80% of the population requiring humanitarian aid, traditional methods of monitoring groundwater levels have become increasingly challenging due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure degradation. Remote sensing tools, such as the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land, have been pivotal in providing high-resolution data on evapotranspiration and irrigated areas, offering a comprehensive understanding of water usage. For instance, the Groundwater and Soil Conservation Project, founded in 2009, initiated implementing the use of satellite imagery to assess crop water consumption in areas such as Siham, Abiyan, Dhamar and Rada.

 The findings revealed that single-season crops, which constitute 76% of irrigated land, have a significantly higher evapotranspiration rate compared to rainfed crops, highlighting areas where water conservation efforts can be most effective. This data-driven technique, derived from the integration of satellite-based systems, enables real-time monitoring of groundwater recharge and abstraction rates, facilitating the identification of regions most at risk of depletion. This approach empowers local authorities and humanitarian agencies to plan targeted interventions, such as promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques and sustainable crop selection.

NGO Satellite Solutions

A consortium led by HR Wallingford is deploying an advanced satellite-based system to monitor Yemen’s groundwater remotely. Using data on rainfall and cropland, the system estimates groundwater recharge and usage in real-time, providing pivotal information to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) amid limited ground access due to conflict.

This technology overcomes traditional monitoring challenges by enabling continuous tracking of aquifer depletion and forecasting future water availability under climate change scenarios. It supports preventive measures such as early detection of shortages and promoting efficient irrigation and crop management to reduce water stress. NGOs utilize this data to target vulnerable communities, coordinate relief efforts and implement on-the-ground conservation programs.

By offering transparent, scalable monitoring, the system fosters collaboration between NGOs and international partners, enhancing Yemen’s capacity to manage its severe drought crisis effectively and ensure a more ecologically balanced future. 

What’s Next?

By providing a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of water resources, satellite technology plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of Yemen’s water crisis and steering the nation toward a more sustainable future.

– Hibah Iqbal

Hibah is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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AI in Higher Education in Yemen

AI in Higher Education in YemenSince March 2015, the civil war between the Yemeni government and the Houthis has worsened life conditions for innocent civilians in Yemen. About 14% of the population is estimated to be internally displaced and more than 18.2 million require humanitarian aid. Millions of Yemeni children lack necessities like shelter and food, making access to education, often seen as a secondary need in crisis, increasingly out of reach.

Education in Yemen

Seven years into the conflict, 2,916 schools were destroyed, partially damaged or used for noneducational purposes and around 172,000 teachers were irregularly paid or sought better income sources. Two million children were out of school before COVID-19 and the pandemic hindered access to education furthermore.

With forced displacements, bombings and lack of female teachers making schooling a challenge, the frail access to education endangers these children’s futures; in some cases, early marriage for girls and armed group recruitment for boys is the only path forward. Amid this disruption and displacement, digital technology offers new ways to keep learning alive, even in the most challenging conditions.

In recent years, AI has revolutionized the modern world in various fields, including education. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, education worldwide has quickly shifted to online platforms and technological tools. In November 2022, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the world; students commonly use this chatbot as it is known to enhance education by providing personalized and interactive learning and ongoing feedback.

These emerging tools do not exclude war-torn countries. AI in higher education in Yemen is relatively common; despite the crisis, students utilize AI tools to facilitate learning and aid them in attaining their academic goals.

AI Usage in Yemeni Universities

A study at the University of Science and Technology in Aden found that 95.8% of respondents use AI tools for educational purposes. Usage frequency varied: 21.1% reported daily use, 30.5% used AI a few times a week, 28.4% used it once a week and 20% used it rarely. Only 4.1% of respondents had never used educational AI tools.

Though the educational AI tools are various, this university’s students primarily lean toward ChatGPT; the study reported that they use ChatGPT at 78.9%, as opposed to 8.4% for Gemini, 1.1% for Claude and 11.6% for other AI tools. Another study on EFL Yemeni students showed that a third of the respondents use AI tools daily. Their tool of choice for English learning is ChatGPT at 42%, which exceeds tools specifically designed for language learning like Duolingo at 24%.

Perceived Benefits and Drawbacks

AI in higher education in Yemen has proven very effective in helping students grow throughout their curriculum. The EFL students noted that AI facilitated their understanding by providing interactive and faster learning, flexibility, convenience and immediate feedback. These students believe that AI tools enhance their practical and technical skills, improve their critical thinking abilities and increase their motivation to learn.

However, several drawbacks to using AI tools for education show that full integration into Yemeni universities is still out of reach. Financial constraints limit access to AI. Engineering students specifically reported a lack of funding, insufficient technological resources and poor training on effectively using AI tools for personalized learning.

Skepticism about AI’s accuracy is another major drawback; many students have expressed that ChatGPT, the most used AI tool, can provide unreliable information, false references, gradually weaker answers and logical errors and contradictions.

Conclusion

AI in higher education in Yemen is widely used across various fields of study. ChatGPT has much positive feedback for facilitating learning and providing remote, personalized education. Many aspects regarding the inaccurate nature of the chatbot, as well as the financial limitations and threatened internet access, diminish the potential benefits of the tool. Nevertheless, continuous technological improvements and increased international support to Yemeni educational establishments and students can help break the barriers to education in Yemen.

– Yasmine Belabed

Yasmine is based in Boumerdes, Algeria and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Variant Poliovirus Outbreaks and Vaccination rates in Yemen

vaccination rates in YemenYemen, a West Asian country with a population of 40 million, has seen a troubling decline in polio immunization rates. While Yemen was polio-free before 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), national polio immunization coverage dropped from 58% in 2022 to 43% in 2023. This decrease reflects the fragility of Yemen’s health system amid ongoing social, political and security crises. Over the past three years, health officials have reported 273 cases of variant poliovirus outbreaks, a situation exacerbated by the humanitarian crisis and falling vaccination rates in Yemen.

Global Health in Yemen

According to USAID, 19.7 million people in Yemen do not have access to basic health services. In Yemen, only 52% of health facilities are fully functional and most of these lack equipment, essential medicines and specialist physicians—a slight improvement from 2014, when only 46% of health facilities were partially functional. The mortality rate for children under 5 stands at 41.3 deaths per 1,000 births. The deteriorating state of the health care system has facilitated the re-emergence of preventable diseases like polio. UNICEF and WHO are actively collaborating with the country’s health systems to improve these conditions. Furthermore, more than 17 million people in Yemen struggle with food insecurity and 4.5 million are internally displaced due to ongoing violence, economic crises and recurring outbreaks of disease exacerbated by climate events, contributing to the near collapse of the country’s health care infrastructure.

UNICEF Vaccinations 

UNICEF announced a second round of oral polio vaccines for 1.3 million children under the age of 5 from July 15 to July 17, 2024, following a successful first round in Feb. that reached 1.2 million children. In collaboration with WHO and Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population, the organization also distributed vitamin A supplements to boost children’s natural immunity against diseases. The immunization campaign targets 12 southern governorates and 120 districts, with approximately 9,000 health workers trained for house-to-house vaccination. This effort is a response to a polio outbreak that left 257 children paralyzed.

Health Initiatives

Peter Hawkins, the UNICEF representative to Yemen, stated that eradication of diseases is achievable if every child receives vaccinations against poliovirus and other preventable diseases. In collaboration with various partners and organizations, UNICEF is pushing forward the Big Catch-up initiative, aiming to restore and accelerate routine vaccines and immunization services missed during COVID-19. Additionally, health partners and authorities have initiated the Health Emergency Expansion Resource (HEER) initiative to extend integrated primary health care services, including vaccinations, to address polio and measles outbreaks.

Looking Ahead

Collaborative efforts by global health organizations are essential to restoring Yemen’s health care system and halting the spread of preventable diseases. Recent campaigns and health initiatives demonstrate a concerted push to increase vaccination rates in Yemen and enhance primary care access for millions. As these initiatives progress, they offer renewed hope for improving the resilience of Yemen’s health care infrastructure and protecting vulnerable populations, especially young children, from further outbreaks.

– Indira Smith

Indira is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bridging the Gap: Poverty and Maternal Health in Yemen

Maternal Health in YemenYemen is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Maternal health issues and extreme poverty have become some of the deadliest threats in the region. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one woman and six newborns die every two hours in Yemen due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. The country’s health care system has been severely compromised by prolonged and intense fighting. Since the conflict escalated between the Saudi-led government coalition and Houthi rebels, maternal mortality rates have skyrocketed.

The ongoing conflict has not only destroyed medical facilities but also led to a severe shortage of medical supplies and personnel. As a result, only approximately half of the country’s health facilities are functional and even fewer are equipped to provide adequate maternal and child health services. This scarcity of resources has left millions of women without access to essential reproductive health care, including prenatal check-ups, safe delivery options and postnatal care.

The crisis is further emphasized by widespread food insecurity and malnutrition, which disproportionately affect pregnant women and new mothers. With the economy struggling, many families struggle to afford necessities, let alone specialized medical care. This economic hardship has created a vicious cycle where poverty and poor health outcomes reinforce each other, with devastating consequences for maternal and infant well-being.

Collapsed Health Care System

The conflict has caused a breakdown of Yemen’s health care system. As of 2024, 17.8 million people require health assistance, with one-quarter being women. Among them, 5.5 million of reproductive age, including pregnant and lactating women, struggle to access necessary health services. This is largely due to a shortage of female doctors and nurses, as well as a lack of essential medical supplies. Currently, only one in five functioning health clinics can provide maternal and child health services.

In addition, more than 2.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women in Yemen are estimated to require treatment for acute malnutrition. Food shortages and insecurity increase the risks of giving birth to newborns with stunted growth and malnourished infants. The lack of medical infrastructure has left millions of women without access to essential health care services.

Economic Impact

The severe economic conditions in Yemen have left 80% of the population struggling to meet basic needs, which directly impacts maternal and infant health through malnutrition and lack of access to care. The economic crisis has worsened the situation for pregnant women and new mothers. The devaluation of the Yemeni Rial and high inflation rates have severely restricted families’ ability to afford nutritious food.

Additionally, the crisis has led to widespread displacement, with 73% of the 4.2 million displaced people being women and children. Despite the Ministry of Public Health and Population’s policy of free access to health care, Yemenis still pay more than 50% of their health expenditures out of pocket.

International Aid

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has played a crucial role in addressing Yemen’s maternal health crisis by:

  • Being the sole provider of life-saving reproductive health services in the country.
  • Leading the coordination and provision of women’s reproductive health and protection services nationwide.
  • Supporting emergency obstetric and maternal health care at more than 100 health facilities.
  • Offering services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence through 36 safe spaces, eight shelters and seven specialized mental health centers.
  • Leading a rapid response mechanism in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF to provide emergency relief to newly displaced persons.

The European Union (EU) has also been a significant contributor to Yemen’s humanitarian efforts by:

  • Allocating more than $130 million in humanitarian funding to address the most pressing needs in the country.
  • Contributing nearly $1.6 billion since 2015 to address the Yemeni crisis, including more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid.
  • Recognizing 13 humanitarian Air Bridge flights since February 2024 to respond to the urgent health crisis triggered by outbreaks of infectious diseases, including cholera.
  • Funding the refurbishment of health centers, such as the Shahir Health Center in Hadramout.

Additionally, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been involved in improving maternal and child health in Yemen. The agency-funded Systems Health and Resiliency Project (SHARP) has made strides in improving maternal and child health services in 14 districts across three governorates. SHARP has reached more than 1.8 million Yemeni people with activities aimed at improving their health. The project has trained and partnered with community midwives, reproductive health volunteers, health facility workers and community members to provide essential health care and support.

Conclusion

Addressing Yemen’s maternal health and poverty crisis requires urgent via coordinated international assistance. Many organizations have contributed to aid and support, but the scale of the issue is demanding and requires a greater response to save lives and break the cycle of poverty and ill health.

– Hannah Ravariere-Moakes

Hannah is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aid in Gaza and Yemen: UK Government’s Partnership with Kuwait

Aid in Gaza and YemenIn a press release from September 4, 2024, the U.K. government announced a new partnership with Kuwait. This will consist of a joint funding totaling £4.5 million delivered to UNICEF that will allow them to continue their lifesaving aid in Gaza and Yemen.

The U.K.’s Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, highlighted the U.K. and Kuwait’s “shared commitment” to dealing with international humanitarian crises. Falconer also acknowledged the role that conflict has had to play in the crises in both Gaza and Yemen, declaring that the U.K. is “pushing for more lifesaving aid to reach those in desperate need,” the U.K. Government reports.

Conditions in Gaza

As an organization centered around children in need, Gaza is a priority for UNICEF. Approximately nine in 10 of Gaza’s population are internally displaced, and half of those 1.9 million people are children.

Children in Gaza are facing countless challenges. From lack of water and food, to fuel and medicine. They are left with injuries and struggle with displacement due to the destruction of their homes and have more than likely lost loved ones. The latest figure by the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimates that more than 14,000 children have been killed in Gaza, UNICEF reports. The conditions for those left are abysmal, meaning UNICEF’s aid in Gaza is essential now more than ever.

Obstacles to delivering aid have made UNICEF’s work in Gaza more difficult. Israel restricted the shipments of food and medicine into the region and this has created famine and starvation as land routes for aid are under strict inspection.

Despite this, UNICEF has been able to dispatch emergency supplies to those in Gaza – this includes water, medicine, and medical equipment. The organization’s programs are also facilitating basic mental health facilities to support children through the unimaginable horror of growing up amidst conflict and destruction, according to its website.

The Need for Aid in Yemen

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is significant, with around 9.8 million children requiring at least one form of humanitarian assistance. Since April 2022, Yemen has witnessed a reduction in active conflict, meaning civilian casualties specifically have become less of a pressing concern. However, the country naturally continues to suffer as a result of living through nine years of conflict.

Issues in Yemen are numerous, with socioeconomic instability at the core of the country. During the ongoing struggle, children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and child labor, according to UNICEF. Families struggle with displacement and exposure to the outbreak of disease. Millions, including children, face daily life with a lack of safe water and adequate sanitation and hygiene. Food is also scarce, causing a nutrition crisis, according to UNICEF.

UNICEF is on the ground to provide aid in Yemen, providing invaluable food and medical supplies that are treating severe acute malnutrition in children. The organization has managed to provide more than 2.5 million children with Vitamin A supplements every six months to combat malnutrition and has vaccinated more than 815,000 children against measles, according to its website.

What the Money Means for UNICEF

The combined £4.5 million will provide vital aid in Gaza and Yemen. The press release specified that this funding will contribute to efforts by UNICEF to restore water and sanitation systems in Gaza and support primary health care services in Yemen, according to the U.K. Government.

With the support of this funding, UNICEF’s work could aid 1 million people in need in Gaza, and a further 1.45 million in Yemen. The organization has publicly expressed its gratitude to the U.K. and Kuwait following the announcement. UNICEF Representative to the Gulf Area, Eltayeb Adam, described the funding as a “beacon of hope” that will “have a transformative impact on the lives of children and families in Gaza and Yemen,” the U.K. Government reports.

– Maeve Relihan

Maeve is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash