emirates7 - As part of the strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works has launched a humanitarian project to combat malnutrition among women and children on Yemen’s Socotra Island.
This initiative highlights the UAE’s dedication to supporting healthcare improvements globally, focusing on addressing critical health issues in Socotra where malnutrition, particularly among children, remains a significant problem.
According to global data, the island’s Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate has reached 10.9%, while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) affects 1.6% of children under five. Internationally, GAM rates between 10% and 14% are considered serious, and SAM rates above 1% are viewed as alarming.
Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director-General of the Foundation, emphasized the UAE’s humanitarian commitment and global responsibility to develop communities and strengthen essential health services.
He stated, “This initiative is inspired by the lasting humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are committed to addressing the food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, working in partnership with the WHO.”
Al Khouri added that the Khalifa Foundation, part of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, will collaborate with the WHO to design targeted solutions for nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on the latest data.
The two-year plan aims to reduce maternal and child mortality related to malnutrition through a comprehensive strategy that will improve maternal, infant, and child healthcare services and bolster emergency preparedness and epidemic response.
Dr. Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, Acting WHO Representative in Yemen, said, “This joint initiative reflects our shared goal of building resilient health systems in Yemen. In partnership with the UAE and local authorities, we are addressing urgent needs and establishing the foundation for long-term health security on Socotra Island. Together, WHO and the UAE seek to stronger, more responsive, and equitable healthcare systems to benefit the people of Socotra and contribute to a healthier, more resilient Yemen.”
This initiative forms part of ongoing joint UAE-WHO efforts in Yemen to deliver urgent food aid and combat the worsening nutritional and health conditions across different population groups. It aims to enhance Socotra’s healthcare infrastructure by training medical personnel, providing medicines, and establishing emergency preparedness mechanisms.
Additionally, the project intends to implement sustainable solutions for malnutrition, promote food security, raise community awareness, and improve disease monitoring to enable more effective medical interventions based on continuous assessments and studies.
This initiative highlights the UAE’s dedication to supporting healthcare improvements globally, focusing on addressing critical health issues in Socotra where malnutrition, particularly among children, remains a significant problem.
According to global data, the island’s Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate has reached 10.9%, while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) affects 1.6% of children under five. Internationally, GAM rates between 10% and 14% are considered serious, and SAM rates above 1% are viewed as alarming.
Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director-General of the Foundation, emphasized the UAE’s humanitarian commitment and global responsibility to develop communities and strengthen essential health services.
He stated, “This initiative is inspired by the lasting humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are committed to addressing the food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, working in partnership with the WHO.”
Al Khouri added that the Khalifa Foundation, part of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, will collaborate with the WHO to design targeted solutions for nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on the latest data.
The two-year plan aims to reduce maternal and child mortality related to malnutrition through a comprehensive strategy that will improve maternal, infant, and child healthcare services and bolster emergency preparedness and epidemic response.
Dr. Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, Acting WHO Representative in Yemen, said, “This joint initiative reflects our shared goal of building resilient health systems in Yemen. In partnership with the UAE and local authorities, we are addressing urgent needs and establishing the foundation for long-term health security on Socotra Island. Together, WHO and the UAE seek to stronger, more responsive, and equitable healthcare systems to benefit the people of Socotra and contribute to a healthier, more resilient Yemen.”
This initiative forms part of ongoing joint UAE-WHO efforts in Yemen to deliver urgent food aid and combat the worsening nutritional and health conditions across different population groups. It aims to enhance Socotra’s healthcare infrastructure by training medical personnel, providing medicines, and establishing emergency preparedness mechanisms.
Additionally, the project intends to implement sustainable solutions for malnutrition, promote food security, raise community awareness, and improve disease monitoring to enable more effective medical interventions based on continuous assessments and studies.