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Severe flooding hits Yemen’s Hodeida governorate
Cumulative precipitation in Hodeida governorate, Yemen on 06 August 2024
Source: Nasa Global Precipitation Measurement Tool. Updated: 07 August 2024
8 August 2024, Hodeida, Yemen – Heavy rainfall on the night of 6 August 2024 has caused severe flooding across Hodeida governorate, including in Hodeida city.
The deluge resulted in 30 fatalities and 5 missing persons, figures that are not yet final. It caused significant damage to infrastructure and displaced many residents, most of them internally displaced persons, and resulted in the closure of roads and public services.
Severe damage has been reported in villages across the governorate, with initial reports suggesting one village was completely swept away by the floods. Streets and houses have been inundated, forcing residents to relocate to safer areas. There have also been complete or partial power outages.
Bajil hospital and health centres in Al-Marawa’ah, Al-Zaydiyah and Al-Zuhra districts were inundated and the Tuberculosis Centre suffered extensive damage, with all equipment and medications destroyed. Several departments at Al-Thawrah hospital, one of the main referral hospitals in the area, reported damage, though the hospital remains operational. Emergency health services are working to ensure continued medical care.
Contaminated water and poor sanitation conditions have increased the risk of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water left behind by the floods creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. These health risks pose a significant threat to an already vulnerable population.
“In conflict-affected countries like Yemen, the impacts of climate change are particularly severe. The combination of ongoing conflict and climate-related disasters such as floods and extreme weather events exacerbates existing vulnerabilities,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative and Head of Mission to Yemen.
“The destruction of shelters and restricted access to basic services due to the floods will impact many people in Yemen, making it even more challenging for communities to recover from the impact of conflict. Urgent action is needed to address immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term consequences of climate change in the country.”
WHO is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local health authorities. In response to the severe flooding, WHO immediately dispatched 35 basic interagency emergency health kits, 15 measles kits and other medical supplies to Hodeida.
The WHO co-led Health Cluster is mobilizing flood contingency stocks to Hodeida, ensuring that essential medical supplies and support reach those in need.
Yemen is already grappling with high levels of displacement, disease outbreaks and malnutrition. Hodeida hosts 50 000 to 60 000 internally displaced persons, according to local authorities. The governorate has 477 health facilities, of which 381 (80%) are functional and 93 (20%) partially functional.
Health capabilities are strained by inadequate supplies of medication, oxygen, lab reagents and intravenous fluids, as well as a lack of specialized staff. Reduced incentives for health care workers have led to service disruptions, increasing the financial burden on already struggling communities.
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WHO launches urgent AWD response project in Yemen amid escalating outbreak
30 July 2024, Aden, Yemen – A vital response project to combat Yemen’s rapidly escalating outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) has been launched by WHO, in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population. The project is generously funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
Since mid-March 2024, Yemen has seen a dramatic surge in AWD cases, with 29 536 suspected cases reported by 25 April 2024. With heavy seasonal rains affecting already fragile water and sanitation systems, each day currently brings 500 to 1000 new cases, making the situation even more urgent.
The 12-month project, costing US$ 3 million, is set to directly benefit more than 4.7 million people and indirectly help a further 520 175 individuals. Through collaborative efforts and strategic interventions, and supported by the KSrelief funding, WHO will work tirelessly to mitigate the crisis and safeguard public health in Yemen.
“This project is a lifeline for Yemen’s health system amid a rapidly escalating situation. Through strategic coordination and targeted interventions, we aim to swiftly detect and confirm AWD cases, improve case management, and prevent further transmission among affected communities,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative to Yemen.
KSrelief believes that this is an urgent situation that requires direct and swift intervention to combat the outbreak. Through this partnership, we aim to significantly reduce the impact of AWD on communities and strengthen the country’s resilience against health emergencies, ensuring a healthier future for Yemen, stated Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem, Health and Environmental Aid Department Director
The project focuses on 3 key outcomes: enhancing early AWD detection, improving severe case management, and preventing community transmission. Its intended impact could prove crucial in reducing AWD-related health risks and strengthening Yemen’s ability to handle future health challenges.
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WHO Yemen Communications
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About WHO
Since 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
About KSrelief
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is a humanitarian aid organization established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KSrelief is dedicated to coordinating and providing international relief to alleviate suffering and provide essential services to those in need.
WHO and KSrelief launch US$ 3 million project to combat vaccine-preventable diseases in Yemen
30 July 2024, Aden, Yemen – More than 1.2 million people are set to benefit from a vital initiative to combat measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in Yemen. The US$ 3 million project launched by WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) aims to significantly boost immunization coverage and measles surveillance over a 15-month period.
The project titled “Strengthened Measles Outbreak Response to Reduce Under-Five Child Mortality in Four Governorates in Yemen” targets 1 205 336 beneficiaries across Aden, Hajjah, Saada and Taiz – 4 of the governorates most affected by Yemen’s current measles outbreak. Solar refrigerators will also be provided to 81 health facilities as part of the project, ensuring greater access to vaccination services.
The impact of these efforts will be carefully monitored through strengthened routine surveillance data, with progress visualized via dashboards that track vaccination coverage and surveillance trends.
Yemen has faced recurrent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, severely affecting health care delivery and increasing humanitarian needs. Destruction of health infrastructure, economic suspension and large-scale displacement have strained the health system – especially in the 4 target governorates, which are home to over 25% of Yemen’s under-five population.
Discriminatory norms and misconceptions about vaccination have led to alarmingly low immunization rates, leaving children vulnerable to diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria and pertussis.
To address these challenges, the project will be rolled out in 77 districts across the 4 target governorates. The project will involve 770 health facilities and deploy 1540 health workers to ensure regular vaccination throughout its duration.
“This project represents a crucial step towards improving the health and well-being of Yemen’s children. By increasing immunization rates and strengthening surveillance, we can significantly reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and protect the most vulnerable populations,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative to Yemen.
Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Muallem, Director of the Health and Environmental Aid Department at the center, stated that the project to enhance the response to the measles outbreak aims to reduce child mortality under five years old in four governorates in Yemen. The project seeks to limit the spread of measles through vaccination campaigns in four major governorates where the epidemic has spread. It targets the vaccination of 1,205,336 children through 1,125 health centers where vaccination campaigns will be launched.
The project also includes the purchase of equipment to support the cold chain to ensure sustainable routine immunization services in the selected areas. Additionally, it supports essential activities in the water and environmental sanitation sectors, as these activities play a crucial role in limiting the spread of the epidemic.
Furthermore, the project provides medicines, intravenous solutions, and necessary consumables to treat confirmed cases in all Yemeni governorates. Epidemiological investigation is considered one of the most important essential activities included in the project to ensure verification and timely rapid intervention when measles cases are detected, in addition to transporting samples and supporting laboratory tests.
This partnership between WHO and KSrelief reflects a shared commitment to safeguard the health and well-being of Yemen’s children, reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthen the country’s health system.
Media contacts
WHO Yemen Communications
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About WHO
Since 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
About KSrelief
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is a humanitarian aid organization established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KSrelief is dedicated to coordinating and providing international relief to alleviate suffering and provide essential services to those in need.
WHO and KSrelief launch US$ 3.75 million project to improve WASH services in Yemen’s health facilities
30 July 2024, Aden, Yemen – A US$ 3.75 million project is set to enhance the water supply and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Yemen’s health facilities. WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) are launching the project to target the most vulnerable populations across the country.
Titled “Improved WASH Services in Healthcare Facilities with Sustainable Water Supply to Serve the Most Vulnerable Populations in Yemen”, the project aligns strategic objectives of Yemen’s Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 and priorities of the WASH Cluster and Health Cluster.
Focusing on life-saving support for internally displaced people and vulnerable groups, the project will improve health care for 580 231 beneficiaries. It will do so by enabling 10 health facilities to sustain safe water, maintaining water services in 60 other facilities and upgrading WASH infrastructure in 2 hospitals, benefiting newborns, maternal health, and disease prevention. WHO will ensure safe water supply, infection prevention and control, and water quality monitoring as part of the project to safeguard health services.
“This project is a critical step towards reducing morbidity and mortality from preventable illnesses among the Yemeni population. By improving WASH services in health facilities, we not only ensure the safety of health workers and patients but also increase patient satisfaction with the services provided,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative to Yemen.
KSrelief remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that directly impact vulnerable communities in Yemen. This project’s focus on sustainable water supply and enhanced WASH services in health facilities will significantly improve service delivery and address critical health challenges, stated Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem, Health and Environmental Aid Department Director.
This project underscores the collaborative efforts of WHO and KSrelief in serving the most vulnerable populations in Yemen and ensuring their access to essential health services.
Media contacts
WHO Yemen Communications
Email:
About WHO
Since 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
About KSrelief
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is a humanitarian aid organization established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KSrelief is dedicated to coordinating and providing international relief to alleviate suffering and provide essential services to those in need.
