emirates7 - Field teams from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), have successfully concluded the first phase of a detailed baseline assessment on Socotra Island, Yemen.
Launched in late May, the multi-phase initiative involves four scheduled field missions over the span of a year by joint UAE-WHO teams. This assessment marks the beginning of a long-term health programme intended to reduce mortality linked to poor health and malnutrition by 20 percent over the next two to five years. The programme adopts a comprehensive, system-strengthening approach to enhance health services in Socotra.
During the initial phase, data collection was carried out in 38 villages across 29 sub-districts. Preliminary findings that 93 percent of targeted health facilities were surveyed. The teams collected household data from 4,214 families, conducted over 930 caregiver interviews, and gathered anthropometric data from eligible children and mothers—surpassing initial expectations. Additionally, 12 focus group discussions were held with varied community segments.
All 15 planned interviews with key informants—including representatives from government, donor agencies, and the UN—were completed. Furthermore, 546 client exit interviews were conducted to collect feedback on healthcare services, exceeding original goals.
The project will now proceed to the data cleaning, verification, and analysis stage. The final report will assess the current state of maternal and child health, nutritional conditions, and the capacity of health facilities, particularly in terms of emergency preparedness and response. These findings will serve as the foundation for data-driven planning in the upcoming phases of intervention.
Future activities include procuring and distributing medical and non-medical supplies, hiring specialized professionals and service providers, conducting technical training, and launching community awareness campaigns. All efforts will be closely coordinated with WHO, the MoPHP, and other stakeholders to ensure they align with Yemen’s national health strategies.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to evidence-based humanitarian action in partnership with global health organizations, aiming to lasting improvements in public health and enhance well-being among vulnerable populations.
Launched in late May, the multi-phase initiative involves four scheduled field missions over the span of a year by joint UAE-WHO teams. This assessment marks the beginning of a long-term health programme intended to reduce mortality linked to poor health and malnutrition by 20 percent over the next two to five years. The programme adopts a comprehensive, system-strengthening approach to enhance health services in Socotra.
During the initial phase, data collection was carried out in 38 villages across 29 sub-districts. Preliminary findings that 93 percent of targeted health facilities were surveyed. The teams collected household data from 4,214 families, conducted over 930 caregiver interviews, and gathered anthropometric data from eligible children and mothers—surpassing initial expectations. Additionally, 12 focus group discussions were held with varied community segments.
All 15 planned interviews with key informants—including representatives from government, donor agencies, and the UN—were completed. Furthermore, 546 client exit interviews were conducted to collect feedback on healthcare services, exceeding original goals.
The project will now proceed to the data cleaning, verification, and analysis stage. The final report will assess the current state of maternal and child health, nutritional conditions, and the capacity of health facilities, particularly in terms of emergency preparedness and response. These findings will serve as the foundation for data-driven planning in the upcoming phases of intervention.
Future activities include procuring and distributing medical and non-medical supplies, hiring specialized professionals and service providers, conducting technical training, and launching community awareness campaigns. All efforts will be closely coordinated with WHO, the MoPHP, and other stakeholders to ensure they align with Yemen’s national health strategies.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to evidence-based humanitarian action in partnership with global health organizations, aiming to lasting improvements in public health and enhance well-being among vulnerable populations.