Yemen: Latest Violence Threatens to Shatter an Already Threadbare Health System for Children

ADEN (Sept. 16, 2026)—The latest violence in Yemen threatens to shatter the already threadbare health system for children, Save the Children said.  

Rishana Haniffa, Save the Children Country Director in Yemen, said:  

"The recent escalation will only exacerbate the existing health crisis facing children and families across the country. Health facilities have been reported damaged and are non-functional, while continued hostilities have reduced children’s access to healthcare and other essential services. Fighting is also affecting the delivery of medicines, nutrition and medical supplies to health facilities in areas close to the fighting. And the 93,864 people on the move will be wondering where to go to for help should they need it, while conflict, displacement, a surge in infectious and waterborne diseases—including measles, acute watery diarrhea and cholera—along with the current heavy rains and flash floods, will lead to a catastrophic humanitarian situation.  

"At least 43 children have been referred to Save the Children for lifesaving medical care due to conflict-related injuries, including bullet and shrapnel wounds. 

"Even prior to the escalation, the crisis in Yemen had left the health system crumbling. In January, the UN said that just 60% of healthcare facilities were fully functional, with at least 450 health facilities closing, leaving millions of malnourished children and pregnant women without access to lifesaving care and vaccines for deadly yet preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, cholera and polio.

"Every child in Yemen must have safe access to humanitarian assistance and the essential services that they need to survive, recover, and thrive, including healthcare, food, water, shelter and protection. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, must be kept safe and protected from attack. Additional flexible funding is urgently needed to address humanitarian gaps and enable child-focused responses to new displacement, while maintaining continuity of essential services.

"Children in Yemen have endured decades of overlapping crises, leaving millions vulnerable even before the latest escalation. They must be protected at all costs."

Save the Children is responding to the needs of newly displaced children and families while maintaining existing lifesaving services. The response includes temporary shelter, hygiene materials, and the provision of safe drinking water to displaced families. 

Save the Children is also providing child protection support, medical referrals and transportation for injured children, as well as identification and follow-up of separated and unaccompanied children, including family tracing and reunification where required.   

This escalation comes against the backdrop of an already extremely fragile humanitarian crisis and funding shortfall. An estimated 22.3 million people, including 12.2 million children, require humanitarian assistance and protection this year. However, the 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan remains only 20% funded, significantly limiting the ability of humanitarian organizations to respond to a new surge of displaced families.    

Save the Children delivers health and nutrition services, including frontline medical care, neonatal support, mobile health clinics, and treatment for malnourished children. Our holistic and partnership-driven approach encompasses primary healthcare, emergency obstetric care, vaccinations, treatment for acute malnutrition, and responses to disease outbreaks. Community Health Volunteers supported by Save the Children connect families to care and deliver lifesaving information. In 2025, we reached 1,110,524 people, including 577,434 children, with health and nutrition services through 173 health facilities, 3 community centers and mobile health workers in hard-to-reach areas.

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