UNICEF airlifts COVID-19 testing kits to Yemen to boost response as cases soar

18 June 2020— A first batch of 10,000 COVID-19 tests arrived in Sana’a on a UNICEF-chartered plane today, to increase the COVID-19 testing capacity amid the rapid increase of cases in Yemen. An additional shipment of 8,000 tests is expected to arrive in Aden in the coming days.

“These test kits will allow wider testing for COVID-19 across the country and the timely management of confirmed cases to save lives,” said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, UNICEF Representative in Yemen. “UNICEF continues to bring critical supplies to Yemen to support the response efforts and protect children and their communities against the pandemic.”

Since the first COVID-19 case was officially confirmed in Yemen on 10 April, UNICEF has shipped over 33,000 N95 respirators, 33,000 face shields, and 18,000 gowns into the country. This crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) will support 400 frontline health workers for three months, but only represents five per cent of the COVID-19 supplies that UNICEF requires in Yemen.

Coronavirus is just the latest challenge for families in Yemen.  The danger to children and their families is compounded by general low immunity, high levels of malnutrition among children, a lack of regular access to basic services including immunization, and a devastated healthcare system where only half of the facilities are functional due to conflict.

UNICEF’s coronavirus response in Yemen remains severely under-funded. So far, only 10 per cent of UNICEF’s US$53 million funding appeal has been received.

Without receiving the additional US$48 million immediately, UNICEF will not be able to continue its lifesaving response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Providing PPE items, operations, and sensitization support to 30,000 frontline health workers.
• Establishing and conducting safe screening of patients for continuity of services in 4,000 health facilities.
• Providing safe water and sanitation services for 900,000 people in isolation centres and quarantine facilities.
• Improving capacity for oxygen therapy by procuring much-needed oxygen concentrators.

“The generosity of our donors over the years has been truly lifesaving to millions of children. With COVID-19, this generosity is more necessary than ever and will allow us to not only respond to COVID but also to continue doing our vital work for children affected by the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world,” said Nyanti.

Notes for editors:

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Unicef UK is calling on the UK Government to ensure that the most vulnerable countries and communities have fair access to coronavirus diagnostics and treatments as they become available.

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