KSrelief Provides $66.7 Million to Fight Cholera in Yemen
Date:
23/06/2017
Author:
KSrelief
![image-61](/UploadData/News/DC0KeWnUIAA5oGX.jpg)
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has responded swiftly and effectively to the outbreak of cholera in Yemen, providing a wide range of comprehensive medical services to treat and eradicate the deadly disease. KSrelief began implementing its cholera-fighting plan following directives from Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, to donate $66.7 million to meet the medical needs of Yemenis affected by the cholera epidemic in Yemen.
In response to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s donation, KSrelief moved to immediately implement essential medical interventions, including the rapid delivery of vaccines to those most at risk. To this end, the center signed agreements with UNICEF and WHO in response to their appeals for assistance in controlling cholera throughout Yemen. KSrelief remains firmly committed to ensuring the delivery of vaccines to all Yemenis based on need and in coordination with relevant authorities.
Constant communication between KSrelief, Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population, and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has played a significant, positive role in ensuring that those in need receive urgent assistance, and that all necessary measures are taken to control the spread of the disease.
KSrelief dispatched a huge convoy of 550 tons of medicines, medical supplies, and medical solutions to all Yemeni governorates to reduce cholera mortality rates. The project also included other activities, including: disease monitoring, improving cholera-control methods, early diagnosis, verification of new cases, identifying sources of infection and risk factors, following-up cases, establishing community monitoring centers with the help of health care volunteers, strengthening the role of rapid response teams, and enhancing the central laboratory of Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population and laboratories in major hospitals around targeted areas.
All Yemeni governorates have benefited from the effective medical interventions implemented by KSrelief, except in areas where Houthi militias have hindered public access to medical aid. The center has distributed 45 tons of medicines and medical supplies and devices to public hospitals in five Yemeni governorates including Aden, Taiz, Ma'rib, Al Jawf, and Seiyun.
The project KSrelief signed with the World Health Organization for $33.7 million came about as a response to WHO’s anti-cholera appeal for Yemen. This project includes numerous activities in the health sector, including disease control.
KSrelief also signed a project with UNICEF at a total cost of $33 million; this initiative includes cholera-controlling activities in the water and sanitation sectors.
Reportedly, incidences of acute diarrheal diseases and cholera increased steeply since August last year; due to poor local response, the epidemic had become widespread throughout Yemen. The number of recorded cases has reached 419,000, and mortality rate has reached 1,892. Whereas gulf states and KSrelief's interventions have resulted in an increase of 99% in the recovery rates.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, is committed to its ongoing support for the Republic of Yemen during that nation’s humanitarian crisis.