Pandemic Preparedness Strategies with an Eye on Displaced Populations in Yemen: Efforts and Challenges on Hand

Abstract

This article aims to comment on pandemic preparedness strategies, especially for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yemen, and the obstacles that may hinder their success. Yemen is currently undergoing the largest humanitarian crisis worldwide, with 283,000 refugees from the Middle East and Africa, and 3.6 million internally displaced inhabitants. Basic needs including food, water and shelter have been compromised, in the setting of political unrest and financial instability. The effects of healthcare discrimination and inadequate healthcare facilities have intensified in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, where healthcare resources are of the utmost significance. This amounts to a wake-up call for concerned international bodies and charitable organizations to intensify their efforts in view of the rising infection rate. Since March 2020, numerous endeavors have been made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and partners, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS), with the objective of mitigating the situation in Yemen. Improving relationships between Yemeni citizens and migrants, and strengthening collaboration with foreign governments may help secure the health and wellbeing of the displaced population amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.