Amid worsening shortages of medicines, staff, and essential supplies across Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is delivering urgent assistance to seven health facilities in Aden, Lahj, Shabwah, Al Bayda and Sana’a to help keep lifesaving care within reach for the most vulnerable.
“Every day, our teams see the impact of empty medicine shelves and overwhelmed clinics on families and entire communities,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Yemen’s Chief of Mission. “By delivering essential supplies and supporting frontline staff, we are not just responding to urgent needs – we are keeping health services running for those who have nowhere else to turn.”
The donation comes at a time when Yemen’s health crisis is deepening due to economic decline and ongoing insecurity. In 2025, nearly 20 million people need health assistance and around 40 per cent of Yemen’s health facilities are only partially functioning or completely out of service with critical shortages in staff, supplies, and infrastructure.
This situation has been made even more challenging by recent funding cuts, which have left 382 health facilities across the country without support, forcing many to reduce services or shut down entirely. As a result, millions of people, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas, struggle to access even basic medical care.
To help address this emergency, IOM has delivered essential medicines and medical supplies to seven health facilities across Aden, Lahj, Shabwah, Sana’a and Al Bayda governorates. The supported centers include the two Migrant Response Points in Aden and Sana’a, Al Basateen Health Centre in Aden, Ras Al Ara Hospital in Lahj, Radaa Hospital in Al Bayda, and Haban Hospital and Haurat Al Sahel Health Unit in Shabwah. Together, these facilities now serve an estimated 295 patients each day.
Before IOM’s intervention, many of these health centers struggled to stay open, unable to meet the overwhelming needs of their communities. Some clinics had to turn away patients due to a lack of basic medicines, others operated with too few staff, and frequent power cuts disrupted care.
The health crisis is compounded by continued displacement and new arrivals of migrants. Since the start of 2025, more than 37,000 migrants have reached Yemen, many in poor health – dehydrated, malnourished, or suffering from untreated chronic illnesses. Both migrants and displaced Yemenis face serious barriers to healthcare, including poverty, lack of documentation, language barriers, and social stigma.
For many, IOM-supported health facilities are the sole source of free medical care, offering treatment for preventable diseases, safe childbirth, and urgent surgical needs. Yet these clinics face immense strain. Limited staff and supplies make it increasingly difficult to meet growing demand as Yemen’s crisis continues.
In addition to delivering supplies, IOM is supporting daily operations, providing incentives for frontline staff, conducting minor rehabilitation, and upgrading essential infrastructure. Infection prevention and control is a key focus, with investments in hand washing stations, cleaning materials, and training to help reduce the risk of outbreaks.
The supplies provided through this initiative will support the health facilities for the next three to four months as part of IOM’s broader effort to strengthen Yemen’s health system. Ongoing support is vital as funding declines and needs continue to grow. IOM and its partners remain committed to keeping clinics open and accessible so that lifesaving care reaches those who need it most.