YEMEN – Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have joined forces to reduce the scourge of measles, rubella, coronavirus (COVID-19) and deficiency diseases.
According to a joint report from the two U.N. agencies, the MOPHP, WHO, and UNICEF Yemen have established a strategic partnership to coordinate efforts to curb the ongoing disease outbreaks and the spread of measles and rubella in the country.
The joint statement said: “The 6-day integrated Measles & Rubella vaccination campaign will target 1,267,082 children aged 6 months to 59 months across 121 districts in 13 governorates.”
After 8 years of conflict, the situation in Yemen has been deteriorating in all aspects, including the humanitarian situation, which is currently still the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
The impact of the drivers of the Yemeni crisis is most visible in the growing risk of famine and severe acute malnutrition, disease outbreaks like polio, diphtheria, dengue, malaria, and Measles, conflict casualties, forced displacement, and reversal of past development gains.
Consequently, the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Aden, UNICEF, and WHO are implementing an emergency Measles-Rubella (MR), vitamin A, and COVID-19 integrated vaccination campaign across the Republic of Yemen.
This campaign’s integration of measles and rubella vaccines, and vitamin A supplementation with COVID-19 vaccinations shows a comprehensive approach to public health.
Additionally, the World Health Organization Yemen and UNICEF Yemen are working closely with the Yemeni government, partners, and communities to guarantee the success of this integrated effort.
In his address, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen cautioned: “Measles can kill, but vaccinating children against measles will save their lives. The MR vaccine is safe and effective. We call upon everyone to join in and make sure that every child between 6 months and 5 years of age is vaccinated.”
By bringing together their efforts and resources, the World Health Organization and UNICEF strive to enhance vaccine coverage, protect vulnerable communities, and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
As mentioned in the joint report, the emergency measles and rubella vaccination campaign will integrate COVID-19 vaccinations for the high-priority group in fixed and temporary fixed sites across the strategic areas.
A total of 3,025 medical teams, consisting of 847 fixed teams and 2,178 mobile teams, will be deployed for a minimum of six days as of September 23, 2023, as mentioned in the joint report.
Backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, USAID, and the World Bank, UNICEF, WHO Yemen, and the Yemeni government seek to optimize its impact and contribute to Yemen’s general health and well-being.
The main objective of the strategic alliance is to strengthen routine immunization, reduce the number of zero-dose children, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent future outbreaks of these diseases by tackling numerous diseases at the same time.
Expressed his commitment to this joint effort, Dr. Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, stated: “Our commitment to Yemen’s children is unwavering. we stand united with the government to strengthen the immunization program as a cornerstone of primary health care on our path to achieving universal health coverage.”
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