WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) are launching a $ 3.75 million project to enhance the water supply and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Yemen’s health facilities, WHO said in a statement on its website.

The project will target the most vulnerable populations across the country.

Titled “Improved WASH Services in Healthcare Facilities with Sustainable Water Supply to Serve the Most Vulnerable Populations in Yemen”, the project aligns strategic objectives of Yemen’s Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 and priorities of the WASH Cluster and Health Cluster.

Focusing on life-saving support for internally displaced people and vulnerable groups, the project will improve health care for 580 231 beneficiaries. It will do so by enabling 10 health facilities to sustain safe water, maintaining water services in 60 other facilities and upgrading WASH infrastructure in 2 hospitals, benefiting newborns, maternal health, and disease prevention, added the statement.

WHO will ensure safe water supply, infection prevention and control, and water quality monitoring as part of the project to safeguard health services.

“This project is a critical step towards reducing morbidity and mortality from preventable illnesses among the Yemeni population. By improving WASH services in health facilities, we not only ensure the safety of health workers and patients but also increase patient satisfaction with the services provided,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative to Yemen.

KSrelief remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that directly impact vulnerable communities in Yemen. This project’s focus on sustainable water supply and enhanced WASH services in health facilities will significantly improve service delivery and address critical health challenges, stated Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem, Health and Environmental Aid Department Director.

This project underscores the collaborative efforts of WHO and KSrelief in serving the most vulnerable populations in Yemen and ensuring their access to essential health services, WHO statement concluded.