Yemen-Nutrition, Maternity & Child Health Center

Project Progress Report

Yemen Nutrition, Maternity & Child Health Center

Reporting Period 01/01/2026 to 01/04/2026

Project Overview

Document Title:

Project Progress Report

Project Title:

Yemen Nutrition, Maternity & Child Health Center

Project Owner:

Doctors Worldwide Türkiye / Yeryüzü Doktorlar Dernegi

Sensitivity:

Public

Project Summary

Yemen remains one of the least developed countries not only within the Middle East but also on a global scale, ranking 183rd out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2023). The protracted conflict has severely damaged civilian infrastructure across many districts, resulting in critical disruptions in food supply, healthcare, water access, sanitation, and hygiene services. Rapid inflation in food and healthcare costs has further exacerbated the population's vulnerability, pushing basic needs increasingly out of reach for millions. These challenges are layered atop a backdrop of longstanding economic decline and persistent insecurity throughout the country.

Among the most heavily impacted regions is the Taiz governorate, where continued violence has placed entire communities in dire humanitarian need. Hundreds of thousands are at imminent risk due to a collapse in essential public services. Acute malnutrition rates have reached alarming levels, particularly among children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women. According to the Nutrition Cluster, Global Acute Malnutrition rates in the targeted districts of Taiz range from 17% to 20%, far surpassing the WHO emergency threshold of 5%.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, Yeryüzü Doktorlar Dernegi (Doctors Worldwide Türkiye) has been active in Yemen since 2015. Beginning in May 2016, the organisation launched an integrated nutrition, maternal, and child healthcare project targeting internally displaced persons and vulnerable women and children. Through the operation of seven healthcare centres in Aden, Taiz, and Hadhramout, the programme delivered comprehensive medical examinations, treatment, and free medication support to tens of thousands of beneficiaries, particularly pregnant and lactating women and children under five. The organisation's continued presence and experience in Yemen have laid a foundation for scalable, context-sensitive interventions aimed at addressing urgent health and nutrition needs.

Achievements and Impact

During the January to March period, health and nutrition services were delivered through the Taiz Mother and Child Health Center, the Taiz Nutrition Health Center, and nutrition education activities under the Yemen Programme.

At the Taiz Mother and Child Health Center, a total of 5,387 examination sessions were conducted, covering pediatric, gynecology, and antenatal care services. Pediatric examinations reached 655 sessions in January, 600 in February, and 478 in March. Gynecology examinations were recorded as 1,253 in January, 1,030 in February, and 832 in March. Antenatal care sessions stood at 193 in January, 166 in February, and 180 in March. Normal delivery services supported 50 births across the period, with 17 in January, 18 in February, and 15 in March. Laboratory tests were carried out for 3,219 individuals, and ultrasound services were provided to 358 in January, 322 in February, and 282 in March. Emergency observation services reached 2,702 individuals in total. Vaccination support was administered to mothers and children, and medicines were distributed to 810 individuals in January, 599 in February, and 514 in March. Family planning sessions reached 549 sessions in total.

At the Taiz Nutrition Health Center, a total of 5,313 nutrition screening sessions were held for mothers and children. Nutrition treatment services were provided to 311 individuals, including both mothers and children.

Nutrition education activities reached a total of 6,573 mothers through mobile health services across the three months, with 2,229 in January, 2,214 in February, and 2,130 in March.

Conclusion

The Taiz Integrated Health Centre Project stands as a vital humanitarian intervention in one of the most severely affected regions of Yemen. By addressing the urgent health and nutritional needs of women and children impacted by protracted conflict, the project delivers both immediate, life-saving support and contributes to the long-term resilience and recovery of local communities. Through the delivery of comprehensive, community-based services and the strengthening of local healthcare capacity, the initiative aims to reduce preventable mortality and enhance equitable access to essential health services for the most vulnerable populations.