Blitz Bureau
THE United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organisation have launched a comprehensive humanitarian initiative to combat severe malnutrition affecting women and children on Yemen’s Socotra Island, where international health metrics indicate crisis-level conditions among the most vulnerable populations, reported DD News.
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works announced the two-year programme as part of the strategic partnership between the UAE and WHO, targeting an island where acute malnutrition rates have reached alarming thresholds that demand immediate international intervention.
Global health reports indicate that Socotra Island’s Global Acute Malnutrition rate among children under five has reached 10.9 per cent, with Severe Acute Malnutrition affecting 1.6 per cent of this population. International health standards classify GAM rates between 10 and 14 per cent as serious, while SAM rates above 1 percent are considered alarming, placing Socotra’s children in a critical health emergency.
Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, DirectorGeneral of the Foundation, said that the initiative reflects the UAE’s global humanitarian responsibility rooted in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and continued under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s leadership. Al Khouri stated the program aims to effectively address food and health challenges through collaboration with WHO, focusing specifically on reducing maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition.
The comprehensive action plan encompasses multiple strategic components designed to create lasting health improvements on the isolated island. The initiative will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services while improving emergency preparedness and response capabilities for potential epidemics. Healthcare infrastructure strengthening represents a core element, involving medical staff training, medication supplies, and establishment of emergency preparedness mechanisms.
Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr. Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo described the partnership as reflecting a shared vision of building resilient health systems across Yemen. She emphasised that the collaboration with UAE and national authorities addresses urgent immediate needs while establishing foundations for long-term health security on Socotra Island. This initiative forms part of broader joint aid activities between the UAE and WHO throughout Yemen, designed to provide urgent food relief and prevent nutritional and health deterioration across various population groups.
