Conflict, Collapse and Covid-19: Lessons from Yemen on Elevated Disease Risk in Regions Under Stress

Abstract

A recent history of internal conflict has left much of Yemen’s infrastructure and healthcare system destroyed. An already-dire situation, in which Yemeni people face daily challenges from food insecurity, lack of sanitation infrastructure, continuing conflict and regular outbreaks of infectious disease, is exacerbating the spread of Covid-19. With only half of Yemeni hospitals and medical facilities in full working condition, the country is in desperate need of medical equipment, healthcare workers and money to ensure conditions do not deteriorate further. This presents a stark picture of the challenges faced by healthcare systems degraded by conflict. Infectious disease outbreaks that cannot be contained in such contexts threaten global health security on a wider scale and must be addressed at the source.◼.