Sana’a, Yemen, 22 July 2024 – UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, welcomes a US$2.4 million contribution from the Government of Japan. The new contribution will enable more than 120,000 of the most vulnerable women and girls in Yemen to access lifesaving reproductive health and protection services.
After nine years of conflict, the health and protection needs in Yemen remain immense. Displacement and the breakdown of protection mechanisms have drastically increased the vulnerability of women and girls to violence with more than 6.36 million Yemeni women and girls at heightened risk of its various forms including harmful traditional practices.
The conflict has also severely damaged Yemen’s health care system. An estimated 5.5 million women of childbearing age, including pregnant and lactating women, especially in rural and frontline districts, have challenges accessing reproductive health services. Less than half of births are assisted by skilled medical personnel and only one third take place in a health facility due to extreme shortages in essential medicines, supplies and specialized staff.
“Japan gives a high priority to supporting the most vulnerable Yemeni women and girls and the partnerships with UNFPA is essential to provide an appropriate assistance that meets their needs,” said Mr. Kazuhiro Higashi, Chargè d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Yemen.
The contribution from the Government of Japan will enable UNFPA to support six health facilities with medicines, medical supplies and emergency obstetric and maternal health care. In addition, support to four safe spaces and two shelters will help to provide psychosocial support, legal aid and livelihood opportunities to women and girls faced with violence and abuse.
“UNFPA shares its immense gratitude and appreciation to the people and to the Government of Japan for its commitment to the protection and health of Yemeni women and girls. Japan’s support is critical in our efforts towards ensuring the continuity of essential and lifesaving services for women and girls who have suffered over nine years of conflict and remain amongst the most vulnerable,” said Ms. Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA Representative to Yemen.
UNFPA is the sole provider of essential life-saving reproductive health medicines in Yemen and leads coordination and provision of reproductive health and protection services for women and girls across the country.
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UNFPA, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
For more information, please contact
UNFPA Yemen: Taha Yaseen: Tel: +967 712 224090; yaseen@unfpa.org
Embassy of Japan: Marino Matsumura: +966 (0)11-482-688; eoj.yemen@sa.mofa.go.jp
