A full-scale war has been raging in Yemen since March 2015 at an immense cost to the people there. The rising cost of living has made it extremely hard for families to meet basic needs. An estimated 14.8 million people – 55% of Yemen’s population – can’t get basic healthcare. More than half of the health facilities are no longer operational because of damage, lacking staff and medicines. In addition, soaring fuel prices make any movement to the remaining facilities unaffordable for most patients who often seek treatment at the last minute. The non-payment of Ministry of Health staff salaries for a whole year is another aggravating factor of the collapse of health system. Apart from the medical needs directly caused by conflict, there were over one million suspected cholera cases between April 2017 to February 2018, followed by a suspected outbreak of diphtheria. In order to respond to the mounting needs, MSF works in or provides support to 33 hospitals and health centers in 12 governorates.
People in rural areas of northern Yemen often can't afford the cost of transportation to the closest hospital or clinic, so MSF conducts mobile clinics to reach out to those in need. © Ehab Zawati/MSF
An MSF nurse helps with tests, triage and registration for patients with suspected malaria. © Ehab Zawati/MSF
An MSF doctor tells patients how to avoid getting malaria and how to help their recovery if they catch it. © Ehab Zawati/MSF
This four-year-old girl has a blood test at MSF’s mobile clinic. © Ehab Zawati/MSF
