Sana’a, Yemen – February 28, 2025 – The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has generously contributed $1.5 million to UNICEF, aiming to sustain essential primary healthcare services in Yemen. This significant support will bolster UNICEF’s ongoing humanitarian efforts, ensuring that critical health services reach vulnerable women, girls, and boys across the war-torn nation.
Yemen’s healthcare system has been severely compromised due to prolonged conflict, economic decline, and infrastructure devastation. Over 10 million children and nearly 5 million women lack adequate access to health services, leading to alarming rates of maternal and child mortality. The situation is further exacerbated by widespread malnutrition and outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, measles, and diphtheria.
The $1.5 million grant from the Kuwait Fund is poised to make a substantial impact. It will enable UNICEF to strengthen basic healthcare services for mothers and children, focusing on several key areas:
- Enhancing Health Facilities: Upgrading and equipping health centers to provide quality maternal and child healthcare.
- Training Healthcare Workers: Educating and empowering midwives and medical staff to deliver effective care.
- Community Outreach: Implementing programs to raise awareness about health practices and available services.
- Supplying Medicine and Equipment: Ensuring that clinics and hospitals are stocked with essential medicines, vaccines, and medical tools.
- Emergency Response Support: Strengthening response mechanisms to handle disease outbreaks and urgent healthcare needs.
This collaboration builds upon previous partnerships between UNICEF and the Kuwait Fund. In May 2022, the Fund granted $2 million to support mothers and newborns in conflict-affected areas of Yemen, facilitating access to lifesaving services such as emergency obstetric and newborn care. These continuous efforts underscore the shared commitment to improving the well-being of Yemen’s most vulnerable populations.
Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, expressed gratitude for the Kuwait Fund’s unwavering support: “In Yemen, more than 10 million children and close to five million women cannot properly access health services. Newborns and mothers must have access to emergency care when needed. We would like to thank the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for its generous support to Yemeni children. This grant will enable the provision of free essential services to give the best start in life to Yemeni children.”
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Millions are displaced, and the collapse of public services has left the population struggling to meet basic needs. Healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and there is a critical shortage of medical supplies and personnel. The economic downturn has further worsened the situation, making it difficult for families to afford medical care even when it is available. In this context, international support remains crucial.
The collapse of the public healthcare system has left many Yemenis relying on humanitarian aid for survival. Many hospitals and clinics operate at limited capacity due to funding shortages and a lack of medical professionals. The ongoing war has forced thousands of doctors and nurses to flee the country, further straining the already fragile system. Pregnant women, newborns, and children under five are the most affected by this crisis. The lack of access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and neonatal intensive care has resulted in high infant and maternal mortality rates.
UNICEF has been at the forefront of delivering humanitarian aid in Yemen, focusing on health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and education. The organization is committed to ensuring that children and their families receive lifesaving assistance and protection from preventable diseases. However, the scale of the crisis requires sustained and coordinated efforts from the global community. UNICEF’s intervention includes providing therapeutic feeding programs for malnourished children, distributing clean water to prevent disease outbreaks, and supporting mobile health teams to reach remote areas where medical facilities are non-existent.
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis has also significantly impacted child immunization programs. Due to ongoing instability, vaccine distribution has been disrupted, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases such as polio and measles. UNICEF’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund will help strengthen immunization campaigns by ensuring vaccines are available and accessible. The funding will also support awareness campaigns to educate parents about the importance of vaccinations and routine health checkups for children.
In addition to healthcare, the crisis in Yemen has resulted in widespread food insecurity. Millions of children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, which weakens their immune systems and makes them more susceptible to diseases. Malnourished children are at a higher risk of dying from conditions that would otherwise be treatable. UNICEF’s integrated approach combines healthcare with nutrition programs to address this challenge. Mobile clinics supported by UNICEF provide malnourished children with therapeutic food, vitamins, and essential medical care to improve their chances of survival.
The situation in Yemen remains dire, and urgent action is needed to prevent further deterioration. In its 2024 appeal, UNICEF called for $212 million to provide life-saving aid to 8 million people, including 5.2 million children in Yemen. This funding is essential to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and to deliver critical services to those in need.
The contribution from the Kuwait Fund exemplifies the impactful role that international donors can play in addressing humanitarian emergencies. By supporting essential healthcare services, such donations not only alleviate immediate suffering but also contribute to the long-term resilience and recovery of affected communities. Financial contributions from governmental and non-governmental organizations alike remain crucial in ensuring that Yemen’s most vulnerable populations receive the aid they desperately need.
As Yemen continues to navigate the challenges posed by ongoing conflict and economic hardship, partnerships like that of UNICEF and the Kuwait Fund offer a beacon of hope. Through collective action and sustained support, there is potential to rebuild and strengthen Yemen’s healthcare system, ensuring a healthier future for its children and families.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has played an instrumental role in supporting humanitarian efforts across the Middle East and beyond. Established in 1961, the Fund has contributed to a wide range of development projects, including education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Its commitment to supporting Yemen during one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history highlights its dedication to humanitarian relief and sustainable development.
UNICEF continues to call on the international community to step up its efforts to support Yemen. More funding is needed to keep vital healthcare services running, provide food assistance, and ensure access to clean water. Without sustained financial support, millions of Yemeni children will remain at risk of disease, malnutrition, and death.
For those looking to contribute, supporting UNICEF’s efforts in Yemen can make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. Every dollar donated helps provide healthcare, nutrition, and essential services to those who need them most.
The Kuwait Fund’s latest contribution is a reminder that international solidarity is key to addressing humanitarian crises. While Yemen’s crisis is far from over, ongoing support from organizations like UNICEF and donors such as the Kuwait Fund provides a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
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