Conflict in Yemen

On 11 April, the WHO Representative for Yemen visited the advanced medical post in the University
area. This medical post is run by volunteers from the protestors’ side and is supported by the Ministry
of Public Health (MOPH) and WHO. The main purpose of the visit was to see, first-hand, the
operation of this medical post, assess the needs and requirements and further enhance coordination
and cooperation between the medical post, WHO and the MOPH.

On 6 April, the WHO country office in Sana’a received an urgent request for medicines and
supplies from advanced medical posts in Taiz and Sana’a. The WHO Emergency and
Humanitarian Action programme procured the medicines as per requirement. To ensure timely
delivery a WHO staff member went to Taiz and delivered the medicines on 7 April. The Director
and management team of the advanced medical post in Taiz expressed their appreciation of WHO
support.

Since the beginning of the crisis, the MoPH is maintaining a daily database of the number of
injured and deaths from all hospitals. As of 11 April, there have been 101 deaths and 1892 injured. Referral hospitals are overwhelmed by the increasing number of injured persons and health workers are delivering services with limited resources. There is an urgent need for trauma medicines, supplies and equipment; an uninterrupted supply of oxygen cylinders; and operational support for advance medical support and ambulance services.

The health cluster task force comprising WHO, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
Yemen Red Crescent Society (YCRS), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (France) and MSF (Spain) are supporting the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) in responding to the situation throughout Yemen.

Health response

• The MoPHP and WHO are providing medicines and medical supplies to the advance medical post at University Square.

• The MoPHP/WHO operations room is fully functional 24/7 in response to the emerging situation.

• WHO and the MoPHP have provided a supplementary kit with medicines, supplies, IV fluids and equipment to the advance medical post at University Square in Sana’a.

• The MoPHP has provided 10 oxygen cylinders to the advance medical post at University Square in Sana’a.

• WHO and the MoPHP are maintaining contacts with advance medical posts at all demonstration sites.

• WHO is providing operational support to the MoPHP for 24/7 functioning of ambulance service in Sa’ana and Aden.

• Injuries are being treated by private and public health facilities in Sa’ana, Aden and Tiaz. WHO and Health Cluster partners are providing support to private and public hospitals.

• WHO is providing support for 12 Ministry of Health ambulances in Sa’ana and 8 Ministry of Health ambulances in Aden to provide 24/7 services at the site of demonstrations.