Critical funding gap threatens health response in Yemen

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that significantly more resources are required to scale up its response in Yemen amid escalating conflict and rising needs.Renewed clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni Government forces and Houthi rebels supported by Iran, have intensified in recent weeks. More than 200,000 people have been displaced, according to latest figures from UN migration agency, IOM, while close to 3,800 have fled to Djibouti across the Red Sea. WHO said its immediate funding requirements have increased from $9 million to $31 million. An additional $700,000 is also needed to support refugees in Djibouti. “The situation is evolving into a complex emergency, with health needs rising as resources are already severely stretched,” said Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative in Yemen. Health services struggle to copeFighting has mainly occurred on the coast in Lahj governorate in southwestern Yemen near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in neighbouring Taiz governorate and in Marib governorate in northern Yemen. As of 2 October, there were 959 reported deaths and 4,207 injuries across 10 governorates, according to the Yemeni health authorities. Health services in ...