February 2, 2021 – Children are hardest hit by the ongoing conflict and its health implications. Thanks to the support of Germany, WHO and INTERSOS were able to offer them life-saving medical care.

Yemen, a country plagued by years of conflict, is considered to be the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Almost 24.3 million people – 80% of the population – will need humanitarian aid in 2020. The health system deteriorated during the crisis and 17.9 Millions of people needed health services in 2020. At the same time, only half of the health facilities are fully or partially functional. Those who remain open are lacking essentials such as fuel, water, primary health care and qualified health workers.

With the support of the German government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and INTERSOS are working together to support 6 health facilities in the Far Al-Udayn and Hazm Al-Udayn districts in the Ibb governorate. Support includes providing primary and secondary health and nutritional services for emergencies, and strengthening contact and referral mechanisms through a network of health volunteers.

The partnership aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the most conflict-affected populations, with a focus on children under 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Yazid, an 11-year-old boy, lives with his family in Hayran, a village in Far Al-Udayn District. In October 2020, he was transferred to Al-Mazhan District Hospital after suffering from high fever, persistent vomiting, joint pain, and hematuria for three days. The boy was found to have malaria. He was admitted to the inpatient department where he received malaria treatment, including intravenous therapy and other necessary medications. The boy’s condition was continuously monitored by doctors and health workers at the health facility until he fully recovered a few days after he was admitted.

Malaria is one of the infectious diseases for which the WHO-INTERSOS partnership supports health institutions in Ibb Governorate. The region has recently seen a significant spread of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, making it even more important to support local health facilities.

“After 6 years of war we are all suffering from the effects of the difficult humanitarian situation. We hope that the world will look at us”, wishes Mohammed Muharram, a Yemeni health officer at INTERSOS. “We thank WHO and all colleagues who work with us for their great dedication to the welfare of the Yemeni people,” he said.

Hagel is a 4-year-old boy who lives with his family in Al-Dashen village in Hazm Al-Udayn district. In early October, his mother took him to the Bani Assad Health Center because he had intermittent watery green diarrhea. The medical examination revealed signs of improper nutrition, likely related to the family’s socio-economic vulnerability. His anthropometric measurements were 11.1 kg in weight, 96.1 cm in height, MUAC of 13.3 cm, and Z-score below -3. The INTERSOS nutrition team at the health facility provided Hagel’s mother with therapeutic food and medication and advised her on how to give them to her son. A health care volunteer made regular visits to the boy’s home to monitor his recovery. After 4 weeks of treatment, hail regained appetite. His anthropometric measurements gradually improved to 11.5 kg, 96.1 cm height, 13.5 cm MUAC and Z-Score.

Thanks to the support of Germany, WHO and INTERSOS have supported the provision of nutrition services for internally displaced persons and host communities at the level of the primary health centers as part of their joint nutrition response. Children under 5, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, are screened in health facilities and referred to relevant nutrition programs, while health care volunteers ensure screening and referral of malnutrition and raising awareness of health, nutrition and nutrition of infants and young children at the community level .

Abdullah is a 10-year-old boy from Al-Sana Village, Hazm Al-Udayn District. In November, his parents took him to the Bani Wa’il Health Center because he was suffering from a severe swelling in his left arm. After undergoing minor surgery to remove the swelling, Abdullah left the facility the same day and was directed to return regularly for dressing and follow-up care. His parents were given the necessary medication to prevent secondary infection. A few days later, Abdullah recovered completely and was able to play with his friends again.