Ma’rib – Conflict has devastated the health system in Yemen, with only around 50 per cent of facilities left fully functional. Through a partnership with the Government of Japan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) helped health workers in Ma’rib reach nearly 100,000 people with health services over the past year.

Ma’rib saw the largest levels of displacement in 2020, with over 21,000 families fleeing from areas near frontlines towards the city. Today, some estimates put the total number of displaced people in Ma’rib governorate at 1 million. Displacement sites are extremely overcrowded and have limited services provision like appropriate shelter to sleep in or clean water to drink. Around 50 per cent of displaced people in urgent need of assistance in Ma’rib have no access to health care.

“The displacement situation in Ma’rib is extremely concerning, particularly when we look at how little access displaced people have to health care,” said John McCue, IOM Yemen Deputy Chief of Mission.

“IOM is supporting displaced people’s access to health care by enhancing services at public facilities and clinics. IOM is also operating mobile medical teams that engage in outreach to populations that are far from existing clinics. IOM’s partnership with the people and Government of Japan has saved lives, without thousands of people in Ma’rib would have been left without immediate health care in life-threatening emergencies.”

Under the IOM-Japan project, two public facilities, one clinic and four mobile medical teams were supported and enabled to provide primary and secondary health care to displaced people and the vulnerable communities that host them across the governorate of Ma’rib. Over 60 per cent of those reached with health care were women and girls.

“Local authorities, communities and humanitarian partners are grappling with limited resources while responding to the needs of more than one million displaced people across Ma’rib. They are struggling to meet both the existing and growing needs, including the provision of vital health care. Greater support is needed to avert further crisis,” added McCue.

IOM and the Government of Japan have fostered a long-lasting relationship in support of the people of Yemen, with a particular focus on addressing health needs. Japan’s support allows IOM to reach more and more displaced people with vital assistance each year. Targeting a governorate like Ma’rib where there are limited resources on the ground ensures that benefits of services are maximized for recipients.

For more information, please contact IOM Yemen:

• English – Olivia Headon, Tel: +353833022648, Email: oheadon@iom.int      
• Arabic – Menna Homaid, Tel: +967739888755, Email: mhomaid@iom.int