WHO airlifts 168 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies to Yemen
20 July 2018— Seven WHO-chartered aircraft have landed in Sana’a Airport this week, while between 30 to 50 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies reach Aden regularly by a UN ship run by the World Food Programme (WFP). In total this week more than 200 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies, and emergency equipment have been delivered in Yemen by WHO, in partnership with WFP and the logistic cluster, as health needs in Yemen grow at an alarming pace.
The shipments contain Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK), surgical kits, cholera kits, intravenous (IV) fluids and various types of antibiotics which are much-needed by health facilities across the country, particularly in Hudaydah and Aden. Around 120 tonnes of these supplies will be distributed to Al Hudaydah as part of WHO plans to scale up health interventions in the governorates affected by the recent intensification of the military operations.
“For nearly 40 months, millions of Yemenis have struggled to receive even basic healthcare services. These essential supplies will alleviate the suffering of thousands of people, but the health needs remain huge and beyond our scope,” said Dr Nevio Zagaria, WHO Representative in Yemen.
“It takes a lot of effort, coordination and negotiation to succeed in bringing these supplies into the country. As the conflict continues, Yemen’s health system is moving towards the abyss.”
This year, WHO has expanded its operations in Yemen, airlifting and shipping hundreds of tonnes of essential medicines and medical supplies. Most hospitals in Yemen are totally dependent on these supplies to keep providing services to those in need.
The new WHO shipments arrive as dozens of thousands of families flee the conflict Al Hudaydah to neighboring governorates, doubling the burden on health facilities in hosting areas.
“Part of these medicines will be distributed to health facilities where displaced people in Al Hudaydah seek health services. Among them are patients with chronic diseases, children suffering from infectious diseases and malnutrition, and women in urgent need of reproductive and maternal health services,” added Dr Zagaria. The other part of the supplies, together with fuel, water and oxygen, will be distributed within the regular quarterly distribution plan which keeps some 145 tertiary and secondary hospitals across the country functioning.