A recent assessment by the humanitarian community showed that acute malnutrition rates among children in Lahj Governate in southern Yemen, where Concern is working, have significantly increased.
According to a press release by Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organization, more than 18 million people – 55% of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance, with one analysis showing a 12% rise in the numbers experiencing acute food insecurity in parts of Yemen during the five months up to February this year (compared to a previous analysis done in mid-2023).
Concern Worldwide began operations in Yemen in December 2023, focusing initially on supporting health clinics, and water and sanitation facilities.
Concern’s Country Director in Yemen, Victor Moses, said: “ Nine years of conflict have taken a severe toll on the lives of ordinary people, especially the 4.5 million who have been forced to flee their homes and are currently living in temporary camps, adding “The essentials of food, clean water, sanitation, health and nutrition are all desperately needed.”
There have been reported cases of measles and cholera outbreaks across the country which pose a major health threat, given the inadequate sanitation facilities and the weakened immune systems of local communities.
In a bid to halt the spread of cholera and other diseases, Concern has distributed hygiene kits in the camps which include jerry cans and buckets to carry water, soap, washing powder and water purification tablets. Concern has also trained community health volunteers who are working in the displacement camps and neighboring communities to conduct nutrition screening and health and hygiene awareness sessions.
Yemen is currently ranked 123rd out of 125 countries assessed in the 2023 Global Hunger Index.