Amidst the aftermath of five years of war, with active combat, including incessant air raids, still threating civilian lives throughout Yemen, this report from INTERSOS medical and protection teams on the field confirms that what is considered “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world” is now facing a new and unprecedented emergency.
Increasing number of deaths
“There’s a lack of adequate testing capability and no reliable data, but one thing is certain: here in Yemen, COVID-19 Pandemic is present, it’s spreading and it’s hitting hard”. While cases of novel coronavirus officially reported in 10 of the 22 Governorates only amount to 253, with a mortality rate of nearly the 20% (50 confirmed deaths), information gathered by humanitarian actors presents a much more troublesome situation.
In countries where testing capacity is limited, there are less scientific, but extremely relevant indicators that must be carefully observed, like an increase in the number of funerals. “Yes, this is clear from some drone images and from information we’ve gathered from our direct work environment, including our staff”, says INTERSOS Programmes Coordinator in Yemen Stella Pedrazzini, who recently returned to Italy for a brief rest period and is once again preparing to depart and rejoin the mission.
“What we are witnessing now may be just the tip of the iceberg – she underlines – in an already heavily damaged health system working at only 51% capacity before the appearance of COVID-19, where medical investigation is not conducted in most of the cases and where currently there are no means to attend patients due to the lack of staff, drugs and equipment. Sadly, most of the messages I receive since I left, are related to the spread of the pandemic and the effects of other pathologies affecting the country. Among these many messages regarding the loss of friends and relatives of our Yemeni colleagues”.
Increasing morbidity
Mortality is climbing not only because of COVID-19, but also due to other expanding morbidities, such as acute respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhea, malaria and cholera. Cases of dengue are reaching a record high, while chikungunya (acute viral disease transmitted by mosquitos) is also quite present in the South. The increasing number of cases of malaria, dengue and chikungunya are related to the devastating floods that affected both the north and the south of the country in April 2020.
Moreover, WHO data discloses an alarming drop in the number of people attending health facilities (-25% consultations, -51% admissions, -19% operations in April 2020 compared to the same month in 2019). This is due to various factors: Yemenis are very reluctant to visit health facilities unless they are seriously ill (as highlighted by the very high mortality rate versus the relatively few confirmed cases of novel coronavirus). At the same time, several health facilities in the 10 affected governorates (mostly unsupported by humanitarian actors) closed down once COVID-19 cases were reported, as they were not equipped with the required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) or IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) supplies and preferred not to expose patients and staff to the spread of COVID-19.
WASH Response is COVID-19 Response
WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) activities are crucial in the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic, but figures show a high risk of morbidities related to inadequate access to water and hygienic supplies.
Only 40-45% of IDPs have access to soap and handwashing (with funds dedicated to WASH assistance for IDPs reduced by 41%); only 45-50% of Yemenis have access to sufficient water quantities; 60-65% of Yemenis lack adequate hygiene supplies. People living near the frontlines in Taiz, Hays, Abs and Hajjah are particularly vulnerable, not able to access services and affected by funding shortfall. In Yemen’s 15 major cities, 3.1 million people are living in high-risk areas for cholera and COVID-19.
Restricted mobility cannot be respected
Limitations imposed on movements can’t be respected by most of the population. Authorities’ attempts to impose curfews have only been partially effective, as most people need to defy these curfews for survival and security of income. They cannot work from home, as their livelihoods are dependent on markets, streets or public spaces. Most vulnerable people lack basic supplies for more than one day (if they even have that) and need to actively search for what they need to survive on a daily basis.
Concerns over reductions in humanitarian funding
As donors prepare for the High-Level Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June 2020, it is now more crucial than ever that the international community and donors mobilises the necessary resources to respond to COVID-19 and maintain life-saving aid for the vulnerable Yemen population, as well as ramp up efforts to make progress towards ensuring principle access for humanitarian aid. “International organisations are witnessing a significant drop in humanitarian funding,” INTERSOS Programme Director Alda Cappelletti underlines, “With a direct impact on humanitarian programmes and the extent to which humanitarian actors are able to provide essential aid. Donors must continue to stand in solidarity with Yemen. Not only those actors that are directly involved in the conflict, as is sadly becoming more and more evident, but the entire International Community needs to scale up its efforts”.