For generations, the farmlands of Al-Gharega Village, in Tur Al-Baha, Lahj Governorate, Yemen, served as a vital source of food, income, and identity. Families grew staple crops like maize, millet, and sorghum, along with a variety of vegetables and fruits that were sold to nearby towns and the city of Aden. The land wasn’t just a livelihood; it was a way of life.But for nearly two decades, that way of life withered. Barren fields and lost hopeYears of adverse impacts from climate change took their toll. Irrigation systems collapsed, wells ran dry, and without affordable diesel to power pumps, fields were left barren. Drought and soil degradation compounded the crisis, and harmful invasive plants overran the abandoned land. Farmers saw their crops fail, and with them, their dreams. “Before the project intervention, our lands were barren. The soil cracked and thorny plants took over. Farmers lost hope,” recalls Anwar, 50, a lifelong farmer in Al-Gharegah. For 40 consecutive growing seasons (19 years), farmers like Anwar and Osama, a 52-year-old farmer and university lecturer, struggled to grow anything on their land.“We tried to grow what we could,” Osama says. “But the crops rarely matured. We couldn’t feed our families, let alone sell anything to the markets. It was devastating.”  Restoring the flow: Rebuilding the irrigation networkIn response to this prolonged crisis, the World Bank-funded Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Social Fund for Development (SFD), launched an agricultural intervention aiming to protect and revive the land again. The goal was to rehabilitate the collapsed irrigation network to restore access to water and protect farmland, thereby strengthening the community’s resilience to climate change.A new 360-metre irrigation canal has since brought life back to 110 hectares of farmland, directly supported 280 farmers, and created 395 temporary jobs through construction.“After the project, everything changed,” says Anwar. “The wells and canals bring water regularly, and the soil became fertile again. We can finally cultivate our fields properly.”  Reclaiming the landThe land, once overtaken by thorny brush, now supports a variety of crops. Farmers are returning to maize, millet, and sorghum, while also planting vegetables and experimenting with fruit crops like lemons, grapes, and potatoes.“Before, the fields were empty,” says Aref, 55. “Now, crops are growing again. We’re even selling to markets in Tur Al-Baha and beyond.”  Farmers are not just cultivating food; they’re nurturing hope. Households are once again eating from their own harvests, selling surplus crops, rebuilding food security, and generating incomes.“The project helped us to regain control of our land,” Osama reflects. “We’ve gone from isolated farmers to a community of cultivators working together again.” A community revivedMore than restoring infrastructure, the project has reawakened a sense of dignity and agency among the farmers. Younger generations - children and grandchildren who had only known failed harvests - are now witnessing a return to productivity and purpose.However, there is still work to be done. Farmers point to remaining canal segments that need rehabilitation, additional wells that require repair, and the need for more support. But the momentum is clear.“This land has given us life before, and now it gives us hope again,” says Anwar.“We endured decades of hardship,” adds Osama. “But this project shows that with the right support, recovery is possible.” Where hope takes root The construction of Al-Gharegah village canal is a testament to what’s possible when targeted investments meet local community needs. Through collaboration , and partnership, once abandoned fields are yielding food, income, and opportunity again.This is not only a story of agricultural rehabilitation; it’s a story of human resilience, of reclaiming what was lost, and of believing in the future of Yemen’s rural communities and food security. Funded and supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP). UNDP’s component of FSRRP improves agricultural production infrastructure and builds climate resilience and is implemented in partnership with the Social Fund for Development (SFD), and the Public Works Project (PWP).

19 April 2026, Aden, Yemen In Yemen, where a fragile health infrastructure, undermined by years of conflict, faces recurring disease outbreaks, strengthening early detection and coordinated response to public health threats remains a priority. To strengthen early warning systems and emergency management capacities, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, convened a training workshop in Aden from 11 to 16 February 2026 on electronic event-based detection systems (EBS) and public health emergency management (PHEM).The workshop was supported by the World Bank through the Emergency Human Capital Project (EHCP) and by the Pandemic Fund through the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project.The 37 participants were drawn from key staff at public health emergency operations centres (PHEOCs), epidemiological departments and other relevant units at both national and governorate level.Through interactive sessions, discussions and live demonstrations, participants strengthened their knowledge of core public health emergency management concepts and enhanced their ability to detect, assess and manage health events through digital systems. The workshop included practical training on two key digital platforms: Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) and the electronic Public Health Emergency Management system (ePHEM). EIOS enables health authorities to identify early signals of potential public health threats by analyzing publicly available information, including news reports and online sources, for public health purposes. The ePHEM supports structured tracking, and the coordination/ management of emergency responses in real time. 
Participants gained hands-on experience in the use of these tools in managing public health and emergency response data, identifying early warning signals of public health threats and coordinating emergency response actions more effectively.“Strengthening digital early warning and emergency management systems is essential in a context like Yemen, where health threats can emerge rapidly and resources are limited,” said WHO Representative in Yemen, Dr Sayed Jaffar. “Through the Emergency Human Capital Project, with support of the World Bank, WHO is committed to building the skills of Yemen’s health workforce and strengthening systems that help detect health risks early and protect communities.”By investing in digital tools and strengthening the capacities of health professionals, WHO and its partners are supporting Yemen in building stronger early warning and emergency response systems and ultimately saving lives.

Yemen’s health system remains under immense strain, leaving more than half of the population without access to basic health services. The impact is particularly severe in rural and conflict‑affected areas, where years of violence and resource shortages have forced many health facilities to close.According to the Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025, millions of children continue to be affected by the crisis, with around half a million suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). For families already living in extreme poverty, the high cost of transportation creates an almost impossible barrier to reaching distant health centers - turning treatable conditions into life‑threatening risks. Reaching Families Where They AreIn the Atira displacement camp in Lahj Governorate, the pressure on displaced families is mounting. Many struggle to meet even their most basic needs, while children—who are particularly vulnerable to disease—face heightened health risks. Malnutrition, combined with limited access to care, poses a serious threat to their survival.In this deteriorating context, deployment of mobile teams has become an essential part of the health and nutrition response. By bringing integrated health and nutrition services directly to communities, these teams ensure early detection, prompt treatment, and prevent children’s conditions from deteriorating into serious complications. The clinics also serve families who lack the affordability of transportation to reach health facilities. The Vital Work of Mobile TeamsZahra Hussein, a health worker joining the mobile team, explains that their primary goal is “to reduce rates of severe acute malnutrition while closely monitoring children who often suffer from multiple illnesses due to harsh living conditions”.“Mobile teams are a lifeline for people here,” Zahra says. “We provide screening and treatment for malnutrition, with regular follow‑up to ensure the fully recovery of the suffering children. We also treat common illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever and measles, provide routine vaccinations, and offer care for pregnant women and mothers.” A New Lease of Life for AzzamFor displaced families living in camps without permanent health and nutrition services, the cost of transportation makes the crucial difference between receiving care on time - or not at all. This is the real situation for Azzam’s family, who were displaced to Lahj Governorate and are currently living in the Atira displacement camp. Azzam’s mother recalls the distressing days before the mobile team arrived.“From the time he was five months old, I could see that my child was very weak. He was struggling to eat and sleep, and his condition was worsening day by day. We tried to take him to a health centre, but it was too far, and we simply couldn’t afford the transportation cost.”When the community health and nutrition volunteer (CHNV) in the camp identified Azzam’s condition, it was already at severe stage. The CHNV immediately referred his mother to the mobile team that regularly visits the camp. This demonstrates the critical role the community networks play in connecting families to healthcare.Timely Care, Lasting Impact“When the mobile team examined Azzam, he was suffering from severe acute malnutrition and dehydration,” Zahra explains. “His Mid‑Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), a measurement used to assess acute malnutrition, was just 9.7 centimeters, and his weight was 4.6 kilograms. These measurements indicated severe wasting.”The team acted immediately, providing the essential therapeutic feeding ration of RUTF, while also supporting Azzam’s mother with guidance on treatment use, counselling on child feeding, and raising awareness on the importance of hygiene. “I will never forget how difficult that moment was.”  “But when I reached the mobile team, I felt reassured. I realized that I was no longer alone.”Azzam’s mother recallsFollow Up That Saves LivesThrough consistent follow‑up, Azzam’s condition steadily improved. Within two weeks, his weight increased, his strength began to return, and he passed the danger stage.“When a child recovers and the smile returns to his face, it brings joy to the entire family,” Zahra says. “That is the moment when we know our efforts are making a real difference.” Delivering Hope, Despite the ChallengesDespite the ongoing challenges facing Yemen’s health system, UNICEF -together with its partners- continues to support essential health and nutrition services for children and families across the country. This work is made possible through the generous support of partners, including the Second Mile Foundation and Swiss National Committee for UNICEF, whose contributions help sustain mobile teams reaching communities with the greatest needs.This support is part of the Response to the Nutrition Crisis in Yemen, aiming to reach more than 270,000 children under five and 153,000 pregnant and lactating women across priority governorates, while strengthening local capacity through ongoing training and community‑based engagement.

Marib/Hadramout - In Yemen, where more than a decade of conflict has displaced over 5.2 million people—80 percent of them women and children—giving birth has become a matter of survival. For women like Hala and Wijdan, motherhood begins not in safety, but amid war, poverty, and uncertainty.Giving Life, Fighting for SurvivalAt 28, Hala fled the conflict in Amran Governorate and now lives with her family in a displacement camp in Marib. Pregnant with twins, she faced hunger, fear, and a lack of medical care. When labor began, neighbors urged her to reach Mohammed Ha’el Hospital, supported by UNFPA and funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid.When Hala arrived—exhausted and terrified—the medical team immediately took action. The examination revealed that both babies were in breech position, a life-threatening complication.“It was a race against time,” recalled one of the attending nurses. “But we had the equipment, the training, and the will to save her.”Moments later, Hala held her newborn sons in her arms. “Without this hospital and the people who helped me, I don’t know if I would be alive today,” she said. The presence of the facility and the availability of free emergency obstetric care turned what could have been a tragedy into one of survival and hope.Hundreds of kilometers away in Hadramout Governorate, 16-year-old Wijdan faced a similar struggle. Displaced from Hajjah, she arrived at community midwife Noor Hadi’s door in labor—terrified and exhausted.“She was just a child herself, and she had no idea what to expect,” said Noor. Acting quickly, the midwife provided care, guiding Wijdan through the delivery with compassion and skill.“I didn’t think I would survive,” Wijdan whispered. “But thanks to the midwife, I did. She saved me and my baby.”Both women survived because they reached skilled care in time—something many in Yemen cannot.In Yemen, childbirth is often a matter of life and death. Every day, three women die during childbirth—80 percent from causes that are almost entirely preventable. In 2026, 5.5 million people require access to reproductive health services, yet 40 percent of health facilities are partially functioning or closed, and only one in five offers maternal health services. Rising food insecurity has also left over 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women malnourished.A Lifeline of SupportUNFPA, together with local partners such as the Building Foundation for Development and with financial support from the European Union, works to ensure that women and girls have continuous access to life-saving reproductive health services, even in the most remote and conflict-affected areas. This includes supporting emergency obstetric and newborn care units, training midwives, supplying essential medicines and equipment, and deploying mobile clinics to reach displaced communities.In 2025, UNFPA reached 1.5 million women and girls with life-saving reproductive health services, supporting nearly 80,000 safe births across 72 health facilities.However, these services are now at risk of closure. In 2026, UNFPA requires US$71.9 million to continue providing reproductive health and protection services in Yemen, but the response is only 13 percent funded. Without urgent support, thousands of pregnant women and newborns could lose access to the care that keeps them safe and alive.“Every mother deserves to give birth safely,” said Noor. “No matter where she comes from—her life matters.”