Aden –Yemen’s Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Qassem Buhaibeh, has revealed that the country is receiving nearly 200 African migrants every day, a growing humanitarian challenge that is placing immense strain on the nation’s already overstretched healthcare system.

Speaking during a recent health workshop focused on migrant care at Yemen’s seaports and entry points, Dr. Buhaibeh emphasized that the steady influx of migrants—primarily from the Horn of Africa—has intensified the burden on medical facilities, especially in coastal and transit areas. “The health sector is under extraordinary pressure,” he said, citing the dual challenge of daily migrant arrivals and the presence of over 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country.

Yemen, already grappling with a protracted conflict and economic collapse, has become a major transit point for migrants seeking to reach Gulf countries. Many of these individuals arrive in dire health conditions, often requiring urgent medical attention after enduring perilous sea crossings and exposure to trafficking networks.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 77,000 migrants crossed into Yemen during the first half of 2023 alone, surpassing previous years and approaching pre-pandemic levels. The majority arrive through the Gulf of Aden, landing in areas with limited access to clean water, shelter, and healthcare.

Dr. Buhaibeh called for greater international support to help Yemen manage the humanitarian fallout. “We are doing our best with limited resources, but the scale of need is overwhelming,” he noted, warning that the health system—nearly half of which is non-functional—is at risk of collapse without urgent intervention.

The World Health Organization estimates that 46% of Yemen’s health facilities are either partially functioning or completely out of service due to shortages of staff, medicines, and equipment.

Humanitarian agencies have echoed the minister’s concerns, urging donors to increase funding for health and protection services targeting both migrants and displaced Yemenis.