Raising awareness and saving lives
Yemen's Collective Fight Against Polio
- English
- العربية
Yemen is facing a severe health crisis, with 242,000 children having missed their first routine vaccine dose1, and 39,000 lives have been lost to preventable diseases over the last year.2 This equates to one child dying every 13.5 minutes.
This already dire situation has worsened with the outbreak of a type 2 variant of poliovirus, paralysing many children across the country. In response, a new polio vaccination campaign was conducted targeting over 1.4 million children under the age of five in 120 districts across 12 Yemeni governorates.
A Race to Protect Children
Led by the Ministry of Public Health and Population, with support from UNICEF, WHO, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the campaign was a vital step in curbing virus transmission and boosting immunity in high-risk areas. Since 2021, 282 confirmed cases of polio have been reported, and with new cases continuing to emerge, urgent action is critical to save lives.
To address this challenge, nearly 7,000 vaccination teams were deployed including over 6,000 mobile teams going door-to-door, and 800 based in health facilities. Despite the harsh climate conditions, these heroes have ensured that no child is left behind.
Community mobilizers: champions on the frontlines
In the scorching heat of Aden city, frontline workers like community mobilizer Mervat Abdullah are vital to the campaign’s success. “Despite the extreme heat, we continue to go out into the field to address misconceptions about vaccines.” she says. “We walk long distances and even climb hills, all to protect children from polio.”
“Despite the extreme heat, we continue to go out into the field to address misconceptions about vaccines.” she says. “We walk long distances and even climb hills, all to protect children from polio.”
Mervat Abdullah - Community mobilizer
Mervat’s colleague, Ghufran Saeid, shares the same drive. “There are so many rumours circulating, which make our work harder. But we are committed to educating parents about the benefits of vaccinating their children and the risks of refusing it,” she explains.
Despite the challenges, Ghufran remains hopeful. “Having worked in immunization for six years, I have seen real progress—a lot of parents are now accepting and even welcoming the vaccine.”
Religious Leaders Join the Mission
In Yemen, religious leaders also play a pivotal role in raising the community’s awareness. In mosques across Yemen, the call to prayer has been joined by another call— one encouraging the families to vaccinate their children against polio during campaigns.
“Allah commands us to cooperate in righteousness,” says Sheikh Maimoun, imam of Qiba'a Mosque. “Our Prophet urges us to do what benefits people. It’s our religious duty to speak up about the dangers of polio.”
Sheikh Maimoun uses every platform, sermon, gathering, and even WhatsApp groups, to dispel vaccine myths and encourage parents to protect their children.
From reluctance to acceptance
Mervat has seen firsthand how awareness can lead to transformation. “I feel proud every time I convince a parent to say ‘yes’ to vaccination instead of ‘no,’” she shares with a smile. For Ghufran, the mission is deeply personal. “As a mother, I feel an even greater responsibility. I’m not just protecting my son, I’m protecting every child in our community,” she explains.
Ghufran emphasizes that none of this would have been possible without continued support: “The Ministry of Public Health with support from UNICEF play a crucial role in strengthening public health and protecting our children.”
Sheikh Maimoun agrees by adding, “It brings joy to witness such positive change. It means that people are becoming more responsible about their children’s health.”
Toward a Polio-Free Yemen
In Yemen, the joint efforts of thousands of health workers, community mobilizers, and religious leaders highlight a shared belief that every child has the right to a safe, healthy life. Their work not only saves lives but moves the country one step closer to a polio-free future. Thanks to our partners, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Yemen’s children now have a fighting chance to grow up free from this devastating disease. As more families say ‘yes’ to vaccines, Yemen edges closer to a polio-free future; one child, one door, one community at a time.
References:
1 https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/immunization/
2 https://data.unicef.org/resources/levels-and-trends-in-child-mortality-2024/
