UN begins Covid-19 vaccination campaign for 7,500 migrants in Yemen

Yemen

The United Nations (UN) has launched a coronavirus vaccination campaign for stranded 7,500 migrants in Yemen. The UN migration agency announced this news on Wednesday.

The agency said that they were focusing on vaccinating 7,500 migrants in its provinces of Aden and Marib. However, it was not enough. Reportedly, migrants are living in an unclean area. 

In a statement, released by the United Nations, it was reported that many migrants are sleeping in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in Yemen. Those are the areas where the virus can easily spread to them. The agency said vaccinating against COVID-19 is important in places like Marib where ongoing conflict continues to weaken health facilities.

Those people are more prone to Covid-19 infection. The world is already fighting against the new variant of Covid 19, Omicron. The ongoing violence and conflicts disrupt the supply chain for medicines and vaccines in Marib. 

Covid-19 in Yemen

Christa Rottensteiner, Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Yemen said, “There are still not enough doses to protect everyone in Yemen from this disease.” Rottensteiner said more support is needed to distribute vaccines in Yemen. Some areas are hard to reach due to ongoing conflicts. Rottensteiner said that early vaccination to people can save them from getting infected by Covid-19 disease. As many people are living in overcrowded areas, vaccination, social distancing and hygiene are important for them. 

UN on Covid-19 in Yemen

The UN said that the Covid-19 pandemic affected Yemen badly. The country is already raging due to the ongoing conflict which erupted in 2015. Reportedly, since April, IOM has been supporting efforts by the Ministry of Health to vaccinate at-risk populations in Yemen. Reportedly, as of 12 December, there have been more than 10,000 cases of Covid-19 in Yemen. Covid-19 affected the most marginalized communities who lack access to health care, clean water and sanitation.