Save the Children Canada

Published purpose

March 2019 - Yemen is currently the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 24.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, including 14.3 million that require immediate life-saving assistance. The conflict and collapsing economy has pushed nearly 10 million people to the brink of famine, and a total of 4.3 million people have been displaced over the last four years. Yemen is also facing one of the worst cholera epidemics in recorded history, as well as a diphtheria outbreak, the scale of which is compounded by the dire state of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and health services. Nearly half of the health facilities have been destroyed or are only partially functioning, stocks of medical supplies are low, and many health professionals are working for free or receiving substantially reduced wages. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to essential services and face an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence due to the crisis. With GAC’s support, Save the Children Canada is providing emergency water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition assistance to up to 156,957 conflict-affected people in Taiz, one of the most affected governorates in Yemen located on the frontline of the conflict. Project activities include: (1) rehabilitating water and sanitation facilities; (2) screening and treatment of acute malnutrition cases; (3) providing sexual and reproductive health services; and (4) providing essential medicines.