Japan’s US$6 million support strengthens health and nutrition services in Yemen

Aden, 25 March 2026 – UNICEF’s project “Responding to the urgent health crisis and building resilient Primary Health Care systems in Yemen,” funded by a US$6 million grant from the Government of Japan, is concluding this month after delivering critical health and nutrition services to communities affected by cholera and measles outbreaks.

After eleven years of conflict, Yemen continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), 19.5 million people – including 10.8 million children – require humanitarian assistance.

Over the past 12 months, the project supported 130 primary health care facilities across seven priority governorates, including Hajjah, Hodeidah, Ibb and Marib, with essential medicines, vaccines, operational support, and incentives for health workers.

More than 150,000 people accessed essential health and nutrition services. In addition, nearly one million people benefited from community engagement and mass media campaigns promoting hygiene practices and healthy behaviours.

The project also strengthened outbreak response capacity, with 130 health workers (53 female and 77 male) trained in cholera case management, infection prevention and control, enabling early detection and timely treatment.

“Japan’s US$6 million contribution has helped provide critical nutrition care for children, treat cholera cases, and keep health facilities running at a time when Yemen’s health system remains under severe strain,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Yemen. “This support is reaching mothers and children at their most vulnerable and empowering communities with life-saving knowledge.”

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