The United Nations agency supporting women and girls in the field (UNFPA) works across the country to address urgent reproductive needs. It warns that a combination of malnutrition, limited health care and rising protection risks is putting lives at risk.
‘Malnutrition is increasing’
One of the most immediate concerns is food insecurity. “Unfortunately, malnutrition is increasing,” said Francesco Galtieri, the agency’s senior official in Yemen.
The consequences are particularly serious for pregnant women – when they lack adequate nutrition during pregnancy, the risk to their babies’ development and health increases significantly.
Access to health care, especially in rural and remote areas, is another critical challenge.
The country has the highest maternal mortality rate in the Arab region, and three women die every day due to pregnancy complications or during childbirth. About two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented if they had access to a midwife or doctor.
In addition to health, protection from violence is a pressing concern. Conflict and economic hardship have increased risks for women and girls, who often bear the burden.
Funding cuts result in deaths
Safe spaces supported by UNFPA offer women a refuge and a path to recovery, providing psychosocial support, vocational training and economic empowerment initiatives designed to help survivors rebuild their lives.
The agency also provides legal assistance to those seeking justice through Yemen’s legal system.
Despite these achievements, funding cuts are putting the programs under severe strain. Mr. Galtieri told Pakinomist to about 40 percent of UNFPA’s humanitarian funding was cut last year, forcing the agency to suspend or halt support for about a third of its services.
In a country with high maternal mortality, reduced service means a woman experiences complications may be unable to access life-saving care, often resulting in the death of both mother and child.
Protective services have also been affected. This year, UNFPA-supported shelters have been unable to accept new survivors of gender-based violence, and the cuts could lead to lasting effects on children affected by malnutrition and trauma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided Al-Thawra Hospital in Hudaydah, Yemen, with 30 medical beds, 5 infant radiant warmers and 1 trauma kit.
Healthy debate?
Mr. Galtieri is currently in New York to attend meetings of UNFPA’s board, where representatives from conflict-affected areas are in dialogue with member states.
Discussions have highlighted renewed debate around sexual and reproductive health and rights, an issue he says hasn’t been under such scrutiny for decades.
“I always wonder why women and girls become the focus of political confrontation when a society enters a phase of tension and confrontation,” he says.
Mr. Galtieri appeals directly to policymakers, calling for greater investment in essential services such as midwiferyand argues that prioritizing life-saving care over other expenses should not be controversial.
Funding decisions often favor other priorities despite the clear human cost. In Yemen, he warns, these costs are measured in the lives of women and girls who might otherwise have survived.
