̽����ѡ

Aden, Yemen, July 10, 2025 —  The ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ), in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Aden, has launched a new strategy to boost childhood vaccination rates and rebuild trust in immunization across some of the most vulnerable communities in Yemen.  

After more than a decade of conflict and crisis, vaccination coverage across the country has significantly declined. Leaving children dangerously exposed to deadly, yet preventable, diseases. Today, fewer than aged 12–23 months are fully immunized, and 17% have never received a single shot. This lack of protection has led to serious outbreaks, highlighting the urgent need for both expanded immunization and community engagement. Since 2021  cases have been recorded, and in 2023 alone Yemen recorded over cases.   

While most caregivers understand the benefits of vaccines and know they are available free of charge, many still hesitate to vaccinate their children. Mistrust in the health system, fear of side effects, and the spread of misinformation continue to drive low uptake. The ̽����ѡ’s new Behavior Change Strategy addresses these barriers by focusing on rebuilding trust between families and healthcare providers. 

This newly launched strategy focuses on several practical steps: enhancing the cleanliness, accessibility, and staffing of clinics, while supporting healthcare workers with training to strengthen communication and foster respectful, family-centered care; and working with trusted community voices–like religious leaders, teachers, and local leaders–to spread accurate information and real-life stories about vaccines. It also includes sending mobile vaccination teams to reach remote areas, helping families keep track of appointments, and running awareness campaigns through radio, posters, and other local materials. 

This initiative is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and reflects a growing commitment to contribute to strengthen Yemen’s public health system and protect the country’s next generation. 

Caroline Sekyewa, the ̽����ѡ’s Country Director in Yemen, says,  

“The launch of this strategy comes at a critical moment. Mistrust and misinformation are costing lives. Communities are asking for safe, respectful, and accessible care. At the ̽����ѡ, we are proud to support this effort alongside the Ministry of Health and local leaders. By working together with families, we can turn the tide against preventable disease outbreaks and give many children in Yemen a healthier future.” 

Mesfin Teklu Tessema, Head of the ̽����ѡ’s Health Unit, says, 

“At the ̽����ѡ, we are proud to partner with Gavi in advancing the fight against preventable diseases in Yemen and globally. To date, Gavi support has allowed the ̽����ѡ and our local partners to deliver more than 14 million vaccine doses and reach over 1.4 million children living in conflict and crisis with their first ever vaccinations. Protecting and expanding gains in Yemen and other fragile and humanitarian settings must remain a priority as Gavi begins to implement its new global strategy with $9 billion in recent donor pledges.” 

END

 About the ̽����ѡ in Yemen &�Բ�����; 

The ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ) has been working in Yemen since 2012 and rapidly scaled up its response in 2015 to address rising humanitarian needs caused by conflict, violence, food insecurity, and economic collapse. The ̽����ѡ delivers emergency aid, critical healthcare and nutrition services, economic support, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming, and protection services, particularly for women and children.  

As a frontline responder, the ̽����ѡ continues to serve as a cornerstone of Yemen’s health and WASH systems, strengthening local capacity, delivering integrated services, and helping communities build long-term resilience against future health crises. 

Between 2022 and 2024, the ̽����ѡ reached over five million people across 11 crisis-affected governorates in Yemen, including 1.7 million people in 2024 alone, more than one million of whom were women. Our work aligns with the ̽����ѡ’s vision to support people affected by conflict and crisis—especially women, girls, migrants, and marginalized groups—by providing life-saving services, meeting basic needs, and building resilience through integrated approaches.