The United Nations has raised alarms over the continued spread of mutated polio in Yemen, where 273 cases have been recorded over the past three years amid a collapsing health system and declining immunization rates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF stress that while polio can cause permanent disability or death, it is preventable through vaccination.
The health crisis in Yemen has deepened since polio resurfaced in 2020, with national immunization rates dropping from 58% in 2022 to 46% in 2023.
Arturo Pesigan, WHO’s mission head in Yemen, warned that the outbreak persists amid mounting health emergencies, placing a heavy burden on the national healthcare system.
In response, large-scale immunization campaigns have been launched, targeting over a million children in 2024, alongside a catch-up initiative to boost vaccination, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.
UNICEF affirmed that eliminating polio in Yemen is achievable with dedicated joint efforts from local authorities and international partners to ensure all children are vaccinated.
