The European Union (EU) provided a EUR 3 million humanitarian contribution to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund to deliver lifesaving services for women and girls in Yemen. The funding will support nearly a quarter of a million of the most vulnerable, women and girls, including displaced persons with emergency relief, life-saving reproductive health and protection services and mental health support across southern-eastern governorates in Yemen.
More than a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks has displaced 5.2 million people across Yemen, placing immense pressure on already overstretched essential services. Nearly 11 million women and girls need humanitarian assistance and an estimated 662,000 pregnant women need lifesaving reproductive health services. With less than half of childbirths occurring in health facilities, preventable complications during pregnancy and delivery risk fatal outcomes. At the same time, more than 6.2 million women and girls lack basic protection services, and seven million people require urgent mental health support.
“The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the people of Yemen, particularly those most affected by the humanitarian crisis. This contribution will ensure that women and girls can access lifesaving health, protection, and mental health services. Through its cooperation with UNFPA, the European Union helps to protect lives and uphold the dignity and rights of those most in need,” said Patricia Mirella Hoorelbeke, the EU Humanitarian Aid Acting Head of Office.
This new EU funding, will enable UNFPA to:
- provide immediate lifesaving assistance to newly displaced persons through the UNFPAled UN Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM).
- continue the provision of emergency obstetric care services at 10 health facilities in areas with high severity of needs.
- provide protection, legal aid, and psychosocial support across eight women and girls’ safe spaces.
- provide trauma and mental health care through a specialized mental health centre.
The European Union remains one of UNFPA’s key humanitarian partners in Yemen, with more than €60 million in financial contributions reaching over 6 million people with lifesaving services since 2018.
“The partnership with the European Union has been instrumental in ensuring that women and girls in Yemen continue to receive life-saving healthcare and protection services, even in the most difficult circumstances,” said Francesco Galtieri, UNFPA Representative in Yemen. “We are deeply grateful for the EU’s continued support in helping to safeguard the health, rights and choices of women and girls in this protracted crisis.”
To keep reaching the most vulnerable women and girls, UNFPA requires US$71.9 million in 2026. To date, only 18 per cent of this funding appeal has been received. UNFPA urgently calls on partners to sustain and scale up support. Despite this most recent contribution, lack of funds threatens the closure of health facilities, safe spaces and the RRM in the coming months. At a time of surging needs, continued investment is critical, so Yemeni women and girls are not left to face this crisis alone.
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For more information, please contact:
Taha Yaseen
UNFPA Communication Specialist
Phone: +967712224090
yaseen@unfpa.org
Jacques David
Regional Information Officer
European Commission Directorate-General for European
Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
Phone: +962 777 444 650
jacques.david@echofield.eu
About UNFPA:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund works to uphold the rights and choices of women, girls and young people across more than 150 countries. UNFPA aims to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfil their potential.
About the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations:
The European Union and its Member States are among the world’s leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by disasters and human-induced crises. Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.
