The United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organisation have joined forces to combat malnutrition in Yemen, starting a campaign aimed at lowering child mortality by 20% over the next two years. This comprehensive program, backed by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work, focuses on the island of Socotra, which faces enormous problems due to food insecurity and disease epidemics.
Socotra’s frail health system struggles with insufficient resources and a scarcity of competent medical personnel, making it difficult to manage outbreaks like cholera, measles, and dengue fever. The island’s 83,000 population rely on 32 health facilities, many of which are overcrowded, and there is no central public health laboratory or emergency response storage.
The program will improve mother and child health services by targeting 80% of health institutions and equipping them for emergencies. Officials also intend to create a health and nutrition coordination platform and enhance real-time data collection. The UAE’s humanitarian commitment originates from its longstanding history of assisting underprivileged communities.
The cooperation aims to strengthen Socotra’s health system, ensure that children and pregnant women receive necessary care and support, and promote long-term health security in Yemen.
