Attachments
Context (Risks & Challenges)
• After nine years of war, Yemen continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
• Over 20 million Yemenis, including IDPs, refugees and migrants, require some form of health and protection assistance, according to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan.
• The conflict in the country coupled with displacement and worsening economic conditions, has heightened the need for protection and health interventions in the country. The ongoing armed conflict is now the third leading cause of death, following ischemic heart disease. In children aged 5 to 14, injuries account for 60 percent of deaths, while in adults aged 18 to 64, injuries account for 36 percent of deaths, according to the 2023 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO).
• The ongoing conflict has resulted in the destruction of much of the health infrastructure. Around 51% of the remaining functional facilities lack the necessary equipment and resources to provide basic services to vulnerable populations, exacerbating the already dire situation for those in need of healthcare.
• Protection risks are immense, as the conflict has resulted in widespread humanitarian law and human rights law violations, including the targeting of civilians, forced displacement, deaths and injuries as a result of the conflict, increased rates of child marriage, the recruitment of child soldiers. Attacks on health facilities and personnel, and the direct targeting (killing and injury) of people on the move across the country continues to be reported.
• In 2022, the Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA), led by WHO, documented 12 attacks in 10 Yemeni governorates, resulting in the deaths of five healthcare personnel and patients, 10 injuries, and damage to five ambulances. The ongoing conflict in Yemen continues to threaten the economic and social rights of all Yemenis, including the right to health, education, food, housing, and livelihoods. At-risk populations, such as women, girls, people with disabilities, the marginalized Muhamasheen community, the displaced, and migrants, are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and challenges in accessing quality services.
• Child marriage is a prevalent issue in Yemen, affecting girls' access to education, health, and social status. It also poses a risk to maternal health since young girls who marry early are more likely to experience childbirth complications. Recent analyses suggest more women and girls in the