UAE Commends Yemeni, International Efforts To Fight Cholera In Yemen

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation has praised the efforts of Yemeni health care workers and international organisations for completing a major operation to vaccinate people in Hodeidah against cholera during a four-day cessation of hostilities in Hodeidah city and Ibb governorate.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 04th Oct, 2018) Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation has praised the efforts of Yemeni health care workers and international organisations for completing a major operation to vaccinate people in Hodeidah against cholera during a four-day cessation of hostilities in Hodeidah city and Ibb governorate.

Under an agreement facilitated by the United Nations with the support of the Arab Coalition, military operations were curtailed so that health workers could administer vaccinations during the four-day halt of hostilities.

During the period 30 September to 3 October, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and local government and partners completed a second round in a major vaccination programme to prevent the spread of cholera in Hodeidah.

WHO succeeded in administering 540,000 vaccinations in districts around Hodeidah and Ibb governorates. This operation followed a first round of 387,000 vaccinations in early August, which were also administered during an arranged period of halted hostilities.

"Cholera is a critical threat to the people of Yemen. The Coalition continues to work together with international health authorities to take urgent measures to prevent the spread of the disease," Al Hashemy said.

"This is part of our overall commitment to work in close partnership with UN entities to provide humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people, especially children, both in liberated and in Houthi-controlled areas."

At the UN General Assembly last week, senior UAE officials met with UN partners to expand food and health programmes that will help mitigate the humanitarian suffering in Yemen. In the last three years alone, the UAE has provided close to $4 billion in direct assistance to Yemen.

Earlier this year, the UAE also committed $465 million through the UN system to ensure that multilateral partners operating in Yemen are able to reach those in need, without discrimination.