Latest
Story
08 November 2026
WHO Yemen: Powering hope: how Kuwait’s support sustains lifesaving health care in Yemen
Learn more
Press Release
03 November 2026
Secretary-General appoints Samer Abdeljaber of Jordan as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yemen
Learn more
Speech
01 November 2026
The Secretary-General -- Message for the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2026
Learn more
Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Yemen
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Yemen:
Publication
15 June 2026
UN Yemen Country Results Report 2025
After more than a decade of conflict, Yemen, home to more than 40 million people, remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian and development crises, driven by economic collapse and regional volatility. Humanitarian needs continue to rise, with over 21 million people projected to require assistance in 2026. Acute food insecurity affects an estimated 18.3 million people, while 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition. Disease outbreaks, including measles and cholera, are further straining the health system.The development trajectory has sharply deteriorated. Yemen’s economy has contracted by more than 50 per cent since the start of the conflict, with GDP per capita cut by over half. Yemen imports around 90 per cent of its food, leaving it highly exposed to global shocks. Only around 59 per cent of health facilities are fully functional, while access to basic services remains highly uneven. As a result, more than 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.Furthermore, Yemen’s vulnerability to climate change became more evident in 2025, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, with floodingdamaging homes and infrastructure across multiple governorates.The operating environment for the UN entities and partners has further deteriorated, particularly in areas under the control of the Houthi de facto authorities (DFA), where approximately 80 per cent of humanitarian needs are concentrated. The continued arbitrary detention of 73 UN personnel, alongside restrictions on movement and the seizure of UN assets, has severely constrained operations.Amid the crisis, Yemen has made notable policy strides. The newly appointed Government of Yemen has set a clear objective to focus on recovery efforts to address the root causes of recurrent humanitarian crises. This objective is reflected in the adoption of the Government Plan for Economic Development and Urgent Priorities.
The Government has also approved its first National Policy on Internal Displacement.Despite these challenges, opportunities remain to stabilize conditions through a more integrated humanitarian–development approach. This requires sustained international engagement, predictable financing, and a renewed commitment to addressing humanitarian needs while investing in recovery.The UN will continue to support these efforts, aligning its next Cooperation Framework with national priorities in recovery, climate resilience, and social protection. The UNCT’s ability to deliver assistance while laying the groundwork for future recovery remains critical in this complex environment. The next chapter details how the UN’s coordinated efforts under the Cooperation Framework translated these priorities into results, bridging the humanitarian response with development initiatives to support Yemen’s people and institutions in 2025.
The Government has also approved its first National Policy on Internal Displacement.Despite these challenges, opportunities remain to stabilize conditions through a more integrated humanitarian–development approach. This requires sustained international engagement, predictable financing, and a renewed commitment to addressing humanitarian needs while investing in recovery.The UN will continue to support these efforts, aligning its next Cooperation Framework with national priorities in recovery, climate resilience, and social protection. The UNCT’s ability to deliver assistance while laying the groundwork for future recovery remains critical in this complex environment. The next chapter details how the UN’s coordinated efforts under the Cooperation Framework translated these priorities into results, bridging the humanitarian response with development initiatives to support Yemen’s people and institutions in 2025.
1 of 4
Press Release
20 October 2026
Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Laurent Bukera, on Humanitarian Situation in Ta’iz
Aden, 20 October 2026 I am deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation in Ta’iz.Road closures and insecurity are preventing vital supplies, including fuel, from entering the city and surrounding areas, threatening the lives of millions who are now unable to access critical services and commodities. The health system is close to collapse. Shortages threaten hospital energy supply and medical oxygen availability, putting hundreds of patients’ lives at risk. The price of whatever food and fuel is left, has more than doubled, adding significant pressure on families already struggling to cope. Of particular concern is access to water for hundreds of thousands of families, with the production in the city halved and alternatives running out.The United Nations and partners continue to do everything possible to support people in need in Taiz and help bring essential goods, services and medical supplies into the city.I call on the Houthi de facto authorities to urgently open safe passage for commercial goods, food, medicine, and all humanitarian assistance to reach Taiz city and those most in need without obstruction.Safe and unhindered humanitarian access is essential to maintaining critical services and reaching communities before hunger, preventable diseases, and injuries claim more lives.I reiterate that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times, and international humanitarian law must be respected.
1 of 4
Press Release
21 September 2026
UNFPA Yemen Nearly 3,000 Pregnant Women in Yemen at Risk of Giving Birth Without Life-Saving Care as Crisis Escalates
ADEN, 21 September 2026 — Escalating violence along Yemen’s western coast and the
southern Ta’iz frontlines is severing access to essential reproductive
health care and protection services for more than 30,000 women of reproductive
age, placing their health and safety in grave danger.UNFPA
estimates that among over 120,000 people reportedly displaced by the recent
escalation include approximately 30,000 women of childbearing age and more than
2,700 pregnant women. At least 500 women require comprehensive emergency
obstetric and newborn care for potential complications, while an estimated 300
women are expected to give birth within the next two weeks.The
escalation has forced reproductive health facilities and safe spaces for women
and girls to close or operate at reduced capacity. Displaced pregnant women are
giving birth in the open without skilled care and face dangerous delays in
reaching comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn services as violence,
damaged access routes, unsafe shelter and reduced health-service capacity
continue. In areas including Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi of Ta’iz
Governorate, emergency obstetric and neonatal care facilities have closed,
leaving critical gaps in access to skilled care.Yemen
has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the Arab region. Three women
die every day from preventable pregnancy complications and 6.2 million women
and girls lack basic protection services. The current escalations are deepening
the health and protection risks already faced by women and girls. “For
women and girls in Yemen, this is a race against time. When violence closes a
health facility or an impassable road prevents a woman from reaching skilled
care, a preventable complication can become a death sentence,” stated Francesco
Galtieri, UNFPA Representative in Yemen. “Safe childbirth, reproductive
health care and protection from violence are not optional in a crisis. They
save lives. UNFPA is working to keep these services within reach, but the scale
of need is growing faster than the resources available.”UNFPA
is leading the United Nations inter-agency frontline response through the UN
Rapid Response Mechanism in coordination with UNICEF, WFP and IOM. The
mechanism has reached more than 60,000 displaced people with assistance within
72 hours since the escalation began. UNFPA is also coordinating reproductive
health and gender-based violence protection services amid severe funding and
access constraints.UNFPA
urgently requires US$22.7 million to scale up the response to reach 80,000
households with emergency relief kits and 140,000 recently displaced women and
girls with life-saving reproductive health and protection services. UNFPA’s
2026 appeal of US$71 million for the humanitarian response in Yemen is only 20
per cent funded, leaving a critical gap as needs continue to rise.###Flash
Update 9 - 14 September: https://www.unfpa.org/resources/hostilities-yemen-flash-update In
Cairo For
more information, please contact:Samir
AldarabiUNFPA
Regional Communications AdvisorPhone:
+201068484879aldarabi@unfpa.org In
Yemen Lankani
SikurajapathyUNFPA
Communication Specialist Phone:
+94773411614sikurajapathy@unfpa.org About
UNFPA:UNFPA
is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, working to uphold
the rights and choices of women, girls and young people across more than 150
countries and territories. It reaches millions of women, girls and young people
with essential health services, protection from violence, and with vital
information about their bodies and rights. It also helps governments plan for
changing population needs so people can thrive today and in the future,
regardless of fertility trends.
1 of 4
Press Release
13 September 2026
IOM Yemen: Yemen Displacement Tops 85,000 as Conflict Continues, 2,000 Flee to Djibouti
Geneva, 13 September 2026 – According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), displacement in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, has now reached 85,818 people, up sharply in recent days (82,164 since beginning of September alone ) as fighting continues along the West Coast. Families are being forced from their homes, and some are now fleeing the country altogether.
Over 2,000 people fleeing the hostilities have reached Djibouti's northern shores so far, landing at scattered points along the coast near Obock. Djiboutian authorities are leading the response, mobilizing the Navy, army, police and health services, with support from IOM and UN partners. Arrivals, many of them women and young children, have been transported to the Markazi site in Obock, where they are receiving water, high-energy biscuits and hot meals. More are expected to flee as fighting intensifies.
"Behind every number is a family who's lost everything," said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. "Many have been displaced multiple times. People are crossing the sea with nothing because they have no other choice left. Yemen is a country torn by poverty and conflict, and it cannot carry this crisis alone. I call on donors to scale up support now, for those arriving in Djibouti and for the communities in Obock receiving them."
Fighting is escalating rapidly along the West Coast and South Taiz frontlines. Taiz remains the hardest hit, with 9,280 households, or nearly 56,000 people, displaced from districts including Jabal Habashy, Al Ma'afer, Maqbanah, Mawza and Al Wazi'iyah. Lahj follows with 3,225 households, or over 19,000 people, most from Al-Mudharibah district, with numbers rising in recent days. Al Hodeidah has recorded 1,374 households, or over 8,000 people, displaced, largely from Hays. Aden has also been affected with 424 households or over 2,500 displaced people being hosted there.
Inside Yemen, families continue to flee multiple times, some for the second or third time in 12 years of conflict, with almost nothing left. Roads are increasingly inaccessible due to ongoing fighting, and communications in affected areas remain disrupted, making it harder to reach people and assess needs.
IOM continues to call for safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, and for all parties to protect civilians, humanitarian workers, and the supplies, vehicles and facilities needed to deliver aid.
The situation remains volatile and unpredictable. IOM will continue to monitor developments closely and report further updates as they become available.Send emergency aid to families in need: Donate here
For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.
Over 2,000 people fleeing the hostilities have reached Djibouti's northern shores so far, landing at scattered points along the coast near Obock. Djiboutian authorities are leading the response, mobilizing the Navy, army, police and health services, with support from IOM and UN partners. Arrivals, many of them women and young children, have been transported to the Markazi site in Obock, where they are receiving water, high-energy biscuits and hot meals. More are expected to flee as fighting intensifies.
"Behind every number is a family who's lost everything," said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. "Many have been displaced multiple times. People are crossing the sea with nothing because they have no other choice left. Yemen is a country torn by poverty and conflict, and it cannot carry this crisis alone. I call on donors to scale up support now, for those arriving in Djibouti and for the communities in Obock receiving them."
Fighting is escalating rapidly along the West Coast and South Taiz frontlines. Taiz remains the hardest hit, with 9,280 households, or nearly 56,000 people, displaced from districts including Jabal Habashy, Al Ma'afer, Maqbanah, Mawza and Al Wazi'iyah. Lahj follows with 3,225 households, or over 19,000 people, most from Al-Mudharibah district, with numbers rising in recent days. Al Hodeidah has recorded 1,374 households, or over 8,000 people, displaced, largely from Hays. Aden has also been affected with 424 households or over 2,500 displaced people being hosted there.
Inside Yemen, families continue to flee multiple times, some for the second or third time in 12 years of conflict, with almost nothing left. Roads are increasingly inaccessible due to ongoing fighting, and communications in affected areas remain disrupted, making it harder to reach people and assess needs.
IOM continues to call for safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, and for all parties to protect civilians, humanitarian workers, and the supplies, vehicles and facilities needed to deliver aid.
The situation remains volatile and unpredictable. IOM will continue to monitor developments closely and report further updates as they become available.Send emergency aid to families in need: Donate here
For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.
1 of 4
Story
08 November 2026
WHO Yemen: Powering hope: how Kuwait’s support sustains lifesaving health care in Yemen
Aden, Yemen A child lay on an operating table at Sayhut General Hospital in Al-Mahrah under general anaesthesia when the electricity suddenly cut. With the ventilator no longer functioning the medical team had to ventilate the the patient manually for nearly 20 minutes.The child recovered, but for Dr Aed Ashoury, an anaesthesiologist at the hospital, the incident was a stark reminder of how unreliable electricity puts lives at risk.Across Yemen, power outages and fuel shortages frequently disrupt essential health services. From operating rooms to maternity wards and intensive care units, the lack of dependable electricity has meant delayed treatment, interrupted procedures and, at times, referrals to distant facilities.Today, that uncertainty is giving way to a more reliable and sustainable future. With funding from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with national health authorities, is supporting the transition of six hospitals across Yemen to sustainable solar energy, helping ensure that essential health services remain available when communities need them most.From power cuts to uninterrupted care in Al-MahrahAt Sayhut General Hospital, electricity used to be available for just a few hours each day. When the supply was cut, critical services were left to depend on unreliable generators and limited fuel supplies. Today, solar energy is making a tangible difference. X-ray services, previously available for around six hours each day, can now operate around the clock. Surgical procedures continue without interruption from power failures. Laboratories, sterilization equipment and maternity services have a continuous supply of electricity.Maryam Saeed, a reproductive health supervisor in Sayhut, says the change has been especially important for mothers and newborns. Previously, fuel shortages meant that essential equipment could not be used, leaving health workers with little choice but to refer patients elsewhere. Now, the ultrasound machines and newborn suction equipment function whenever they are needed , enabling maternity teams to provide timely, dependable care.A lifeline for critical patients in MaribMarib Hospital faced the same challenges as Sayhut General Hospital, with frequent power outages and ageing generators disrupting surgical operations, intensive care and diagnostic services.Najeeb Ali Mohammed Al-Dabhani, Head of the Intensive Care Unit, recalls how medical teams sometimes had to manually ventilate critically ill patients for an hour or more when the electricity failed. Describing the difference solar energy has made, he explains that staff “no longer fear power disruptions or the harm they can cause to patients”.With a more dependable power supply, medical teams can operate lifesaving equipment with confidence and patients benefit from improved continuity of care. Elyas Abdulwahab, a patient at Marib, says the change is visible everywhere in the hospital, from functioning medical equipment and continuous lighting to a more comfortable environment for patients.Investing in care that lastsThe improvements in Al-Mahrah and Marib are part of a broader initiative supporting six hospitals across Hajjah, Ibb, Taiz, Al-Mahrah, Marib and Al-Dhalae. By reducing dependence on diesel generators and unreliable electricity supplies, the initiative supports more sustainable hospital operations and helps protect essential services against future disruptions. With approximately 1566 kilowatts of solar capacity planned, the project combines renewable energy systems, battery storage, safety infrastructure and maintenance training to strengthen the long-term resilience of health facilities. It is expected to directly benefit 935 424 people each year, with up to 1.6 million people benefiting indirectly.For health workers who once struggled to keep equipment running during emergencies, reliable electricity means greater confidence, safer working conditions and the ability to focus on what matters most – saving lives.WHO extends its sincere appreciation to the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for its generous support and commitment to strengthening Yemen's health system. This partnership is helping turn urgent infrastructure challenges into sustainable solutions, bringing more reliable and resilient health services within reach of communities across Yemen.Media contactsMs. Nesma Khan, WHO Yemen CommunicationsEmail: mediayemen@who.intAbout WHOFounded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting health, keeping the world safe and serving the vulnerable. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, coordinate responses to health emergencies and advance well-being for all.
1 of 5
Story
29 October 2026
UNFPA Yemen: A Rapid Response When Families Need It Most
TA’IZ GOVERNORATE, Yemen “I fled with my three children, searching for safety. It was a journey filled with fear, exhaustion and anxiety. It was not only the loss of a home, but also the responsibility of caring for three children with disabilities who require continuous attention and support,” Samar* told UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.Samar, 33, the sole breadwinner for her family, arrived in Sabir Al Mawadim with her three children after fleeing hostilities in Al Wazi’iyah District in Ta’iz Governorate. Even after reaching a place away from immediate danger, she carried fear for her children and uncertainty about where they would live. An acquaintance managed to provide shelter, giving the family a temporary place to stay.Violence along Yemen’s western coast and southern Ta’iz frontlines has displaced nearly a quarter of a million people since August 2026; majority of them from Ta’iz Governorate. More than half of those displaced are women and children, and nearly four in ten displaced households are headed by women. A frightening journey to safetyAll three of Samar’s children have disabilities, adding to the responsibilities she carries as she tries to keep them safe. Their needs do not end when a family reaches temporary accommodation. They continue through every decision about shelter, daily necessities and the support required to care for them.Ibtisam*, 25, also fled with her three children from Al Wazi’iyah District. “When I was forced to flee with my children, I took almost nothing with me. Me and my children left with only the clothes we were wearing,” she tells UNFPA.Ibtisam is facing displacement with the same immediate pressure that shapes so many decisions families have to make that include, how to meet basic needs when there is little certainty about what comes next.For Ibtisam, the request is not centred on herself. “I am not asking for anything for myself. I am asking for my children,” she adds.The first line of assistanceFor families newly displaced by conflict, the first days of displacement can bring urgent questions about food, shelter and basic household items. The UN inter-agency Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), led by UNFPA in coordination with IOM, UNICEF and WFP, serves as the first line of the humanitarian response, identifying and reaching families within 72 hours of a displacement alert.In response to the recent escalations, the RRM has assisted more than 153,000 people. A RRM assistance includes ready-to-eat food, basic hygiene supplies and women’s dignity kits lasting up to a week.Since its establishment in 2018, the RRM has functioned as Yemen’s primary first-response platform for displacement caused by conflict, climate shocks and other emergencies, reaching over 5 million people in the past eight years.The European Union Humanitarian Aid helps enable the rapid emergency response and the delivery of assistance through UNFPA and its local partners.“This assistance has helped ease our suffering and supported us during an extremely difficult period,” Samar said after receiving an RRM kit for her family, distributed by UNFPA’s local partner Deem for Development Organization.For Ibtisam, the kit was an important form of support at a time when her family had no food or basic necessities. For both mothers their priorities extend beyond immediate relief.“As a mother, I am asking for safety for my children, a place where we can settle, and access to the basic necessities that will allow us to live a safe and dignified life,” tells Ibtisam. For families like Samar’s and Ibtisam’s, rapid assistance provides essential support during the first days after displacement, while safety, shelter and access to essential services remain central needs.*Names changed for privacy and protection.
1 of 5
Story
22 October 2026
UNDP Yemen: Yemen Rapid Recovery Response
In March 2026, UN reports estimated that 22.3 million people required humanitarian assistance, including 5.2 million who were internally displaced. Since August 2026, renewed conflict has driven a further 250,000 people from their homes, many of them repeatedly, while undermining the services and livelihoods that families depend on to survive. With displacement still rising, lifesaving assistance alone cannot restore the local systems on which communities rely. UNDP is already acting.UNDP’s response will operate through two mutually reinforcing tracks: rapid early recovery in conflict- and displacement-affected areas, and protection of institutional continuity and resilience in areas exposed to increasing pressures on services and livelihoods. As conditions evolve, locations may move between these tracks based on evidence of conflict exposure, displacement, service disruption, and local institutional functionality.As an immediate contribution, UNDP has allocated US$1 million from its core resources to the Yemen Rapid Recovery Response (YRRR): Emergency Employment and Community Recovery. The YRRR will be implemented in coordination with local authorities and will provide temporary paid work to around 1,200 displaced people and members of host communities. This support will reach around 7,000 people and rehabilitate priority community assets in Aden and Lahj.The YRRR is expected to generate around 18,000 workdays, improve 14 km of roads, and protect and rehabilitate 35 hectares of agricultural land. Planned interventions include road paving, drainage, waste removal, greening, irrigation channel rehabilitation, and agricultural protection.Beyond this immediate initiative, UNDP is in the process of scaling up its interventions, where mandates, access, and donor agreements permit, to extend this support. Together, these efforts will allow us to reach more than one million people.
1 of 5
Story
19 October 2026
WHO Yemen: Yemen advances development of its Gavi 6.0 Holistic Application through a multistakeholder Consultative workshop
19 October 2026, Amman, Jordan – The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, convened a three-day multistakeholder workshop in Amman to support the development of Yemen’s Holistic Application under the Gavi 6.0 strategic investment framework. The Gavi 6.0 investment period runs from July 2027 to December 2030, and the Application aims to establish a unified national vision for immunization, aligning vaccination priorities with primary health care and broader health system strengthening efforts.
Held from 4 to 6 October, the multistakeholder workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), the Expanded Programme on Immunization,VPD Surveillance program , primary health care and health Education teams, regional and country Immunization technical expert of WHO, Gavi Secretariat , the UNICEF, civil society organizations and other key partners.Over the Three days, participants reviewed Yemen’s immunization, surveillance and health system performance, including achievements, persistent challenges and lessons from previous Gavi 5.0 strategic periodsupported investments. Discussions also examined epidemiological and immunization coverage data, equity and zero-dose gaps, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, vaccine supply and cold chain systems, health workforce needs, community engagement, data systems and financial sustainability and accountability. Particular attention was paid to identifying priority interventions to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children and communities, strengthen vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, improve vaccine delivery systems. Vaccine optimization and new vaccine introduction and ensure that future investments respond to Yemen’s operational realities.“Every child in Yemen, regardless of where they live or the challenges their community faces, should have equitable access to lifesaving vaccines. Through this collaborative process, we are working with national authorities and partners to translate evidence and lessons learned into practical investments that can reach zero-dose and under-immunized children while strengthening the systems that sustain immunization services,” said WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain. The workshop provided a platform to consider gender, equity, fragility and conflict-sensitive approaches. Participants worked collectively to define implementation approaches, geographic priorities of interventions and new vaccine introduction , results frameworks, milestones and targets while examining financing requirements, sustainability considerations, implementation risks and the respective roles of national authorities and partners.Discussions focused on southern governorates of Yemen from 4 to 6 October 2026. The process is expected to result in an agreed and technically reviewed draft of Yemen’s Gavi 6.0 Holistic Application, including prioritized interventions aligned with investment areas, implementation and sequencing strategies, a timeline for new vaccine introduction, a results framework, financing assumptions, risk mitigation measures, and a clear roadmap for finalization and submission of the application.Through continued collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), Gavi, UNICEF, and other partners, WHO remains committed to providing technical leadership and supporting Yemen in strengthening immunization services, reaching children who have missed essential vaccines, introducing new vaccines, and building resilient systems for vaccine delivery, disease surveillance, and the integration of immunization within primary health care. Through the effective utilization of Gavi 6.0 investments, WHO will continue to support efforts aimed at safeguarding the health and future of Yemen’s children and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
Held from 4 to 6 October, the multistakeholder workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), the Expanded Programme on Immunization,VPD Surveillance program , primary health care and health Education teams, regional and country Immunization technical expert of WHO, Gavi Secretariat , the UNICEF, civil society organizations and other key partners.Over the Three days, participants reviewed Yemen’s immunization, surveillance and health system performance, including achievements, persistent challenges and lessons from previous Gavi 5.0 strategic periodsupported investments. Discussions also examined epidemiological and immunization coverage data, equity and zero-dose gaps, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, vaccine supply and cold chain systems, health workforce needs, community engagement, data systems and financial sustainability and accountability. Particular attention was paid to identifying priority interventions to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children and communities, strengthen vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, improve vaccine delivery systems. Vaccine optimization and new vaccine introduction and ensure that future investments respond to Yemen’s operational realities.“Every child in Yemen, regardless of where they live or the challenges their community faces, should have equitable access to lifesaving vaccines. Through this collaborative process, we are working with national authorities and partners to translate evidence and lessons learned into practical investments that can reach zero-dose and under-immunized children while strengthening the systems that sustain immunization services,” said WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain. The workshop provided a platform to consider gender, equity, fragility and conflict-sensitive approaches. Participants worked collectively to define implementation approaches, geographic priorities of interventions and new vaccine introduction , results frameworks, milestones and targets while examining financing requirements, sustainability considerations, implementation risks and the respective roles of national authorities and partners.Discussions focused on southern governorates of Yemen from 4 to 6 October 2026. The process is expected to result in an agreed and technically reviewed draft of Yemen’s Gavi 6.0 Holistic Application, including prioritized interventions aligned with investment areas, implementation and sequencing strategies, a timeline for new vaccine introduction, a results framework, financing assumptions, risk mitigation measures, and a clear roadmap for finalization and submission of the application.Through continued collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), Gavi, UNICEF, and other partners, WHO remains committed to providing technical leadership and supporting Yemen in strengthening immunization services, reaching children who have missed essential vaccines, introducing new vaccines, and building resilient systems for vaccine delivery, disease surveillance, and the integration of immunization within primary health care. Through the effective utilization of Gavi 6.0 investments, WHO will continue to support efforts aimed at safeguarding the health and future of Yemen’s children and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
1 of 5
Story
11 October 2026
FAO Yemen: Where Every Cup of Coffee Tells a Story
Before coffee became a cherished ritual around the world, it was already part of Yemen’s story.Yemeni coffee is grown on ancient, high-altitude mountain terraces carved into the country's steep highlands, where generations of farmers have cultivated the crop using traditional methods passed down through time. These landscapes, shaped by patience and hard work, have given the world a coffee renowned for its distinctive flavour and rich heritage.This is the birthplace of Mocha.Named after Yemen’s historic Red Sea port of Al-Makha, once a global hub for the coffee trade, Mocha has become a name recognized in coffee cultures around the world. But behind that name lies something far more meaningful: the story of Yemeni farmers, their land and a tradition that remains deeply woven into the country’s identity. A heritage carried by generationsFor the approximately 120,000 smallholder farmers who cultivate coffee across nearly 35,000 hectares, coffee is more than a crop. It is a source of livelihood, a connection to the land and a legacy worth preserving.Coffee is predominantly grown on the terraces of the western highlands of the country, harvested and traditionally processed to develop their distinctive flavour. Even the coffee hulls find a place in local traditions, used to prepare Qishr, a beloved Yemeni beverage.Coffee is also at the heart of Yemeni hospitality. It brings people together, creates moments of connection and reflects a culture where sharing a cup is an expression of welcome.A cherished legacy facing new challengesYet this remarkable heritage has not been easy to sustain. Yemen’s coffee sector has faced decades of difficulties, including political instability, limited access to farming inputs, water scarcity and the effects of climate change. Low market prices and aging coffee trees have placed additional pressure on producers.Despite these challenges, the story of Yemeni coffee is not one of decline alone. It is a story of resilience and of renewed hope.A new chapter through OCOPThrough FAO’s One Country One Priority Product initiative, coffee has been identified as Yemen’s distinctive agricultural product, recognizing its importance to the country’s heritage, rural livelihoods and agricultural future.FAO is supporting efforts to strengthen Yemen’s coffee value chain, from improving agricultural practices and farmer knowledge to enhancing processing, value addition and market opportunities.A Coffee National Working Group/Task Force has been established to manage the Coffee Centre in Aden, while a value chain assessment and an Upgrading Strategy and Investment Plan have laid the groundwork for coordinated action.The ambition is clear: to help Yemeni coffee build on its unique strengths, improve quality and productivity, and reach more markets while creating better opportunities for the communities who cultivate it.From Yemen’s terraces to the worldToday, Yemeni coffee stands as a living testament to its origins, renowned for its unique characteristics, traditional farming methods, and rich cultural heritage unlike any other.The International Coffee Day, celebrated on 1st of October each year, brings coffee lovers around the world together. It is an opportunity to celebrate not only the beverage in our cups, but also the people and places behind it.In Yemen, every coffee cherry reflects generations of knowledge. Every terrace tells a story of perseverance. And every cup of Mocha carries a legacy that continues to inspire a more sustainable future.
1 of 5
Press Release
03 November 2026
Secretary-General appoints Samer Abdeljaber of Jordan as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yemen
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Samer Abdeljaber of Jordan as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yemen, with the host Government’s approval. He started his assignment on 1 November and will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator.Mr. Abdeljaber brings over 20 years of leadership experience in humanitarian action and emergency response, including extensive work in humanitarian coordination, partnership-building and the delivery of assistance in complex and crisis-affected settings. Most recently, he served as Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe at the World Food Programme (WFP), having previously served as Director of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Emergencies at WFP Headquarters. From 2021 to 2024, he was WFP Representative and Country Director in Palestine, leading operations in a highly complex political and humanitarian context. From October 2023 to February 2024, he also served as Emergency Coordinator for the Gaza response, leading WFP’s emergency operations during a particularly complex period. In this capacity, he served several times as Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim and led United Nations negotiations to facilitate humanitarian access into Gaza. Previously, he served as WFP Country Director in Libya, overseeing country operations with a focus on strengthening national systems and humanitarian coordination.Earlier in his career, he held several leadership positions across WFP operations in Jordan, Iraq, Sudan and Egypt, as well as at Headquarters. His roles included Chief of Digital Solutions Delivery and Deputy Country Director in Egypt, where he strengthened partnerships with United Nations agencies and donors while overseeing WFP’s Syria emergency response from Egypt.Mr. Abdeljaber holds a degree in Computer Science from Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Amman, Jordan.He is married and has two children.
1 of 5
Press Release
31 October 2026
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the death of an OHCHR staff member in detention by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen
The Secretary-General is appalled and condemns the death of a United Nations colleague, Mohammad el Shami, while in the custody of the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen. The colleague, who served with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis de facto authorities since 6 June 2024.The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and to his colleagues at OHCHR, and stands in solidarity with all detained colleagues and their families.The circumstances surrounding this appalling tragedy remain unclear. Since his detention in June 2024, the Houthi de factoauthorities have provided neither information about his well-being nor proof of life, despite repeated requests from the United Nations. The United Nations is urgently seeking answers from the de facto authorities about the circumstances of his death.The Secretary-General calls for an immediate, impartial, transparent and thorough investigation into his death. This is the second death of a United Nations staff member in detention by the Houthi de facto authorities, following the death of a World Food Programme colleague in February 2025. It is a painful reminder of the grave risks faced by all UN and humanitarian personnel, who remain arbitrarily detained - some for years. Their continued detention is unacceptable and causes immense suffering to them and their families.The Secretary-General recalls that all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely and with respect for their inherent dignity and human rights. The authorities exercising custody bear full responsibility for their protection, safety, access to medical care, and physical and psychological well-being.The Secretary-General remains gravely concerned for the safety and physical and psychological well-being of the 70 United Nations personnel, five former UN staff members, and personnel from humanitarian and civil society organizations who remain detained. He reiterates his call for their immediate and unconditional release.
1 of 5
Press Release
27 October 2026
United Nations and Government of Yemen sign a three-year Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
Aden, 27 October 2026 – Yesterday, the Government of Yemen and the United Nations, represented by the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E. Mohammed Al-Faqmi, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Laurent Bukera, signed Yemen's United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2027–2029. This is the first Cooperation Framework to be jointly signed by the Government of Yemen and the United Nations system since 2015. It establishes a foundation for cooperation in support of government-led efforts to advance sustainable development priorities across Yemen. The UNSDCF builds on and aligns UN agencies in Yemen's support with national priorities and plans of the Yemeni Government and its longer-term vision for a resilient and inclusive Yemen by 2040. Over its three-year term, from 2027 to 2029, the Framework sets out how the UN will support government-led efforts to address people's urgent needs while strengthening national systems, improving coordination, ensuring the continuity and sustainability of essential services, and expanding inclusive economic opportunities to support Yemen's recovery. The signing of the Framework marks an important step in turning this vision into concrete action, laying the foundations for a more resilient future and lasting improvements in the lives of all Yemenis. In practical terms, this means improving access to healthcare, nutrition, education and social protection; creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods; strengthening food security and local economies; building resilience to climate change; and helping communities across Yemen better manage scarce water, energy and other natural resources. It also means strengthening national and local institutions to make them more inclusive, transparent and accountable through institutional reforms and improved governance, enabling them to deliver fairer, more responsive services that meet people's needs. “The signing of the UNSDCF marks an important step towards a future where Yemenis are defined not by the crises they endure, but by the opportunities they have to rebuild their lives, support their families and shape their future,” said Laurent Bukera during the signing ceremony. “While Yemen continues to face a grave humanitarian crisis, with millions still in need of humanitarian assistance, this Framework lays the groundwork for longer-term recovery and development.” He also commended the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation for its leadership and commitment in making this milestone possible and ensuring that Yemen’s national priorities remain at the heart of the Framework.
1 of 5
Press Release
27 August 2026
IOM Yemen: IOM-Supported Emergency Measles Campaign Reaches Around 11,000 Children in Ma’rib
Ma’rib, Yemen – 27 August 2026 As measles continues to threaten children across Yemen amid gaps in routine vaccination and access to healthcare, local authorities in Ma’rib declared a health emergency following a rise in suspected measles cases. In response, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), facilitated an emergency vaccination campaign that reached more than 13,700 children across four districts in Ma’rib Governorate.Yemen continues to face recurrent measles outbreaks. According to provisional World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance data, 11,354 measles cases were reported nationwide between October 2025 and March 2026, the second-highest number reported globally during that period. Children living in displacement sites and underserved communities often face additional barriers to accessing vaccination and healthcare, increasing their vulnerability to preventable diseases.To help address these gaps, IOM supported the campaign launched on 18 August across Ma’rib City, Harib, Madghal and Ragwan. The campaign targeted 10,624 children aged six months to five years in high-risk communities, displacement sites and underserved areas.“When children cannot access routine health services, preventable diseases can spread quickly. In Ma’rib, IOM is working with health authorities and partners to reach communities affected by the outbreak and support children in accessing the vaccinations they need to grow healthy and protected from preventable diseases,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Yemen Chief of Mission.The campaign was implemented jointly with the Public Health and Population Office in Ma’rib, and the Deputy Governor’s Office and other health partners. It included 309 planned outreach vaccination sessions in total, with UNICEF supporting 200 and IOM supporting 109 sessions. IOM implemented all 109 of its planned sessions, achieving a 100 per cent implementation rate.IOM supported 22 vaccination teams comprising 88 health workers and provided fuel for 22 vehicles to help teams reach high-risk communities, displacement sites and underserved areas. IOM also supported community mobilization and vaccine uptake efforts through dissemination of risk communication and community engagement materials.The campaign exceeded its initial target of 8,514 children, screening 11,143 children and administering 13,775 vaccine doses, including 10,624 measles vaccinations and 3,151 routine immunization doses.The response demonstrates the importance of coordinated action to maintain access to essential health services during outbreaks. IOM continues to work with local authorities and health partners to help vulnerable communities access services that protect children and families from preventable disease.For more information, please contact: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int
1 of 5
Press Release
19 July 2026
WHO Yemen: Steering Committee validates Yemen’s National Health Strategy 2026–2030, paving the way for implementation
16 July 2026, Aden, Yemen The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, convened a Steering Committee meeting to validate the Yemen National Health Strategy (NHS) 2026–2030, marking a milestone towards its official adoption and implementation. Committee members met to review the Strategy's development process, discuss implementation arrangements and agree on priorities for the next phase, reinforcing national ownership and coordinated action across the health sector. The NHS was developed through an evidence-informed consultative process led by MoPHP, with technical support from WHO and the University of Geneva. It provides a unified national framework to strengthen health system resilience and respond to Yemen's evolving health needs in the context of prolonged crisis, limited resources and unequal access to health services.The Steering Committee reviewed the final draft of the Strategy, confirming that it reflects the findings of the national situational analysis and extensive stakeholder consultations. Members validated the Strategy's vision, strategic direction, objectives and interventions, and implementation arrangements and proposed next steps towards nationwide implementation. The meeting also reached agreement on the actions required before the Strategy's official publication and launch, including final revisions, dissemination and preparations for implementation across the country."The validation of the National Health Strategy 2026–2030 represents an important milestone towards strengthening Yemen's health system. It reflects a shared commitment to national leadership, stronger partnerships and a resilient health system capable of delivering quality essential health services to all Yemenis. WHO remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Public Health and Population and partners throughout the implementation of this strategy," said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain. Throughout the development of the National Health Strategy, WHO worked closely with United Nations partners, including UNFPA and UNICEF. WHO also acknowledges with appreciation the World Bank for its financial support, as well as the Universal Health Partnership (UHP), whose catalytic funding is provided through contributions from Belgium, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.WHO will continue working closely with the MoPHP, national institutions and development partners to support implementation of the NHS and advance resilient, equitable and people-centred health services across Yemen.Media contactsWHO Yemen CommunicationsEmail: mediayemen@who.intAbout WHOFounded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting health, keeping the world safe and serving the vulnerable. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, coordinate responses to health emergencies and advance well-being for all.
1 of 5
Latest Resources
1 / 11
Resources
14 April 2026
1 / 11