Yemen health minister warns services could collapse as funding falls short

Yemen's Minister of Public Health and Population Qasim Buhaibeh warned that if current funding trends continue, some areas could lose health services entirely. He explained that the sector is unable to absorb new waves of displacement while facilities close and essential supplies run low. Critical services such as emergency response, maternal and child care, immunizations, nutrition programs, dialysis and cancer treatment face severe threats.

Updated health data indicate that 19.3 million Yemenis need assistance, yet only 17 % of required funds have been provided. The minister said fewer than half of health facilities are now operating at full capacity, down from the WHO's earlier estimate of 60 %. Displacement of over 134,550 people, mainly in Taiz, Lahij and Aden, is further straining the already fragile system, while reporting from Houthi-controlled zones has been halted for almost a year.