Yemen is going through the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world” according to the UN. Faced with this situation, and drawing on its experience of managing healthcare systems in conflict zones, Mehad is launching an intervention programme in Yemen.
Ten years of war have ravaged Yemen, leaving 18 million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid. Health infrastructures have collapsed, diseases are spreading rapidly and malnutrition is rife. It is also noted that 16.4 million people lack access to adequate healthcare, underlining the seriousness of the health situation.
European Union/Peter Biro
Priorityhealth needs
The Yemeni health system is in ruins. Hospitals lack medicines, staff and equipment. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. In addition to these challenges, the country is facing serious epidemics. For example, in November 2023, 3,000 cases of cholera were recorded, illustrating the seriousness of the health situation. There is an urgent need to strengthen health services to deal with malnutrition, infectious diseases and war wounds.
Our intervention programme
On the strength of its long experience in conflict zones, our NGO has decided to intervene in Yemen, initially focusing its action on the Lawder hospital, located in the governorate of Abyan, in the south of the country.
In this area, deserted by almost all NGOs because it is so dangerous, the needs are immense. For this operation, our strength lies in Mehad’s DNA : working in close partnership with local health players and building their capacity.
The Lawder hospital, which sees around 70,000 patients a year, provides vital services for which Mehad will provide support and maintenance :
–Medical care : emergency, maternity, trauma and surgery.
–Prevention and treatment : vaccinations and diagnostics to combat disease and counter epidemics.
To strengthen local capacities, Mehad will also initiate specialised training courses at the Lawder hospital, such as emergency ultrasound or war surgery, to improve the skills of care providers.
