International Initiative on COVID-19 in Yemen (IICY), a collaborative partnership of multinational companies and the United Nations, brings hope in the form of funding to support actions already being taken by WHO. IICY’s most recent contribution involved a 43-ton donation of laboratory supplies, ventilators, test kits, PCR machines and vital PPE to fight COVID-19 in Yemen. Delivery of the shipment was managed by the World Food Programme. IICY’s founding members include the Hayel Saeed Anam Foundation, Tetra Pak, Unilever, the United Nations, the Yemen Private Sector Cluster and the Federation of Yemen Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
COVID-19 threatens to crush the already strained health care system in Yemen. The country is entering its almost sixth year of conflict and its population has survived on food aid for years. The health system functionality, such as access and capacity of health care personnel, is at less than 40%.
To read more about IICY and WHO’s support of Yemen’s during the pandemic visit the WHO/EMRO site
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19