Yemen

Updated 20/05/2021

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is considered by the United Nations to be the worst in world. Following an escalation in conflict between between the internationally recognised Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah (Houthi) in 2015, more than 24 million people (80% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict has displaced more than a million people and has given rise to cholera outbreaks, medicine shortages, and threats of famine.


2021 Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) Report
The SHCC identified 81 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Yemen in 2020, compared to 35 such incidents in 2019. In these incidents health facilities were destroyed and damaged and health workers were killed and injured. Years of ongoing war have left only half of Yemen’s health facilities functional.

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Health Care

Compared to 2019, violence against and obstruction of health care increased in 2020. Almost half of reported incidents occurred in the first half of the year, during which several health facilities were damaged by aerial bombings during conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi forces. Health care providers also faced access difficulties to and within Yemen.

In March 2020 Yemeni government and Houthi authorities imposed a ban on all flights in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. After flights had been allowed in again, Houthi authorities closed Sana’a airport to UN and humanitarian flights in September due to fuel shortages. Data


Our Global Interactive Map on Threats and Violence against Health Care provides access to continuously updated information on violence against health care in conflict and related to COVID-19.