The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work (an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies), and in coordination with Yemeni authorities, has launched a comprehensive program to combat malnutrition in Socotra.
.Population of Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean, is facing malnutrition challenges driven by food insecurity, as well as repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles and dengue fever.
The island’s more than 83 000 residents are served by 32 health facilities which are lacking a central public health laboratory, a functional drug warehouse and a medical prepositioning system, all of which are essential for timely emergency response and sustainable health care delivery.
The fragile health system of the island suffers from a lack of skilled health personnel, essential medicines and emergency readiness mechanisms. Maternal health indicators are alarming, with 92.7% of pregnant women anemic and antenatal care attendance low. Around 37% of children have yet to receive a single vaccine dose. The global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate stands at 10.9% and the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate at 1.6%, indicating a serious public health emergency.
Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo said “This programme reflects a joint commitment by WHO and the UAE to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children, while reinforcing healthcare systems in crisis-affected areas”.
The initiative began with a baseline health and nutrition survey conducted between 24 and 30 May 2025. Over the next two, years the project aims to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20% through an integrated health system strengthening approach