Sanaa [Yemen], March 26: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday highlighted the worsening health crisis in Yemen, saying that 17.8 million people, half of whom are children, are in urgent need of medical aid amid a resurgence of diseases.
Arturo Pesigan, WHO's representative in Yemen, revealed the dire situation on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition's involvement in the Yemeni conflict.
"Nine years of war have led to a decline in health outcomes and destroyed infrastructure, making emergency health and humanitarian needs a daily reality for millions," Pesigan said in a statement.
He warned that diminishing international support has left communities exposed to deteriorating conditions, affecting the future of millions. Over the past five years, the WHO has seen a 45 percent reduction in funding for Yemen, with a current need of 77 million U.S. dollars to provide essential health services in 2024.
Children are particularly at risk, with high rates of malnutrition and increased susceptibility to diseases like polio, measles, pertussis, and diphtheria. Nearly 2.4 million children under the age of five, comprising half of Yemen's children in that age group, are experiencing moderate to severe stunting, according to the WHO statement.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014 after the Houthis took over the capital, Sanaa, has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened on March 26, 2015, with the objective of reinstating the government.
Source: Xinhua