The World Health Organization and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre have inked a new US$1.55 million agreement to strengthen access to life-saving nutrition and medical care for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications in Yemen.

Through the 12-month project, the World Health Organization (WHO) will procure and distribute 402 pediatric and severe acute malnutrition (PED/SAM) kits to 35 Therapeutic Feeding Centers (TFCs).

This is supposed to ensure the continuous availability of essential medicines, medical supplies and equipment required to manage complicated cases of child severe acute malnutrition.

The project aims to directly benefit an estimated 18,282 children under the age of five.

The intervention will cover priority areas across Abyan, Aden, Al Dhale’e, Al Mahrah, Al Mukalla, Lahj, Marib, Seiyun, Shabwah, Socotra and Taiz, strengthening the capacity of Therapeutic Feeding Centers to provide free-of-charge inpatient treatment to some of Yemen’s most vulnerable children.

Malnutrition remains a major threat to child survival in Yemen. Children with severe acute malnutrition who develop medical complications require specialized inpatient treatment and timely access to appropriate medicines and supplies.

The project will help to maintain these life-saving services at targeted Therapeutic Feeding Centers (TFCs) while improving availability and strengthening the quality and continuity of child nutrition care.

Under the agreement, WHO will procure PED/SAM kits containing commonly used oral and injectable pediatric medicines, intravenous fluids, essential medical supplies, and equipment.

Distribution to supported facilities will be based on caseload and utilization rates, to be implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and Population.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) said, “We are pleased to work with our valuable partner WHO to protect and improve the lives of children in Yemen who are suffering. These therapeutic medical interventions, including medicines, equipment and other needed supplies, will help children with severe acute malnutrition to recover and to have the best possible chance for a bright future.”

“This new partnership with KSrelief comes at a critical time for children and families in Yemen. By ensuring therapeutic feeding centres have the medicines, supplies and equipment they need, we can help health workers provide timely, quality care to children facing severe acute malnutrition and potentially life-threatening medical complications,” said Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain, the WHO Representative to Yemen.

“We deeply appreciate KSrelief’s continued partnership and commitment to protecting the health and lives of Yemen’s most vulnerable children.”

The project will also strengthen monitoring of nutrition services and the availability and utilization of essential supplies.

The World Health Organization will work closely with national and local health authorities and supported facilities to monitor implementation, verify commodity deliveries, and help to ensure that supplies reach the facilities and children for whom they are intended.

The agreement builds on the ongoing partnership between WHO and KSrelief to sustain essential health and nutrition services in Yemen.

By maintaining access to life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition with medical complications, the partnership contributes to reducing preventable illness and deaths among children under the age of five and strengthening the resilience of Yemen’s health system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it gratefully acknowledges the generous support of KSrelief, whose contribution is enabling this life-saving nutrition intervention and helping to ensure that vulnerable children in Yemen can access essential treatment and care for severe acute malnutrition with medical complications.