The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating health situation in Yemen, stating that approximately three women die each day due to preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Years of conflict have pushed Yemen’s essential services to the brink of collapse, leaving millions of women and girls in an extremely vulnerable position. According to the UNFPA, over six million women and girls lack access to basic protection services, while seven million people are in urgent need of mental health support.
The ongoing conflict, economic decline, and climate shocks have collectively crippled Yemen’s infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The UNFPA highlights that a vital partnership with the European Union has helped to maintain essential services in areas of critical need, reaching over 850,000 women, girls, and displaced persons since April 2024.
Leila Bakr, the UNFPA Regional Director for the Arab States region, emphasized that every woman and girl in Yemen deserves access to care and safety as a fundamental right. She acknowledged the EU’s commitment as life-saving, while also warning that funding cuts threaten to close health facilities, safe spaces, and rapid response mechanisms.
Bakr stressed that these funding reductions coincide with increasing humanitarian needs, making continued support essential to prevent further deterioration of the situation. The UNFPA is urgently appealing to partners to provide and expand immediate support, ensuring that Yemeni women and girls are not left to face this crisis alone.
Muriel Cornelis, Head of the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid office in Yemen, stated that the EU remains committed to assisting the most vulnerable populations in Yemen, particularly women and girls. The EU continues to work with partners to ensure that critical healthcare and protection services remain available.
The UNFPA underscores the urgent need for sustained and increased support to address the dire health and protection needs of women and girls in Yemen, preventing further loss of life and suffering. The situation remains critical.Immediate action is required.
