24 December 2015, Sana’a, Yemen -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered more than 100 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies for more than one million beneficiaries in 8 districts of Taiz governorate, where more than 3 million people, including 392,000 internally displaced persons, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
The health supplies, which were delivered following the announcement of the ceasefire, consist of urgently needed oxygen cylinders, medicines and medical devices, including surgical supplies and equipment for the management of trauma cases. These supplies have been distributed to 13 hospitals and health centres, and have replenished the local health department’s contingency stock for future needs.
“The health situation in Taiz has increasingly deteriorated. Shortages in health staff, medicines and fuel, as well as limited access by the humanitarian community due to the insecurity, have caused many health facilities in the governorate to shut down," said WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ahmed Shadoul. "We are calling on all parties to guarantee unrestricted, long term delivery of humanitarian aid and unconditional movement of health workers."
The distribution of an additional 22 tonnes of medical aid to 5 health facilities in Sala, Al-Qahera and Al-Mudhaffar districts of Taiz City is on hold due to access issues. WHO is negotiating with all parties to the conflict and advocating for unconditional access of medicines and supplies to these three districts, where 400 000 people are in critical need of humanitarian assistance.
“WHO is deeply concerned about the continuous lack of humanitarian access to Taiz City, depriving people from basic health care and violating their essential human rights. WHO re-emphasizes the crucial need for uninterrupted delivery of health services and calls upon all concerned parties to respect the basic rights of all Yemenis to access health care services,” said Dr Shadoul.
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