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The virus is spreading rapidly, in large part due to a collapsed health system exacerbated by years of poverty and war. Families are forced from their homes, living in cramped makeshift quarters. The country also has almost no testing capacity and most of those who are being tested are already showing severe symptoms, resulting in a death rate that is five times higher than the global average.
"What we are seeing in Yemen is unlike any tragedy witnessed before," says Tamuna Sabadze, the IRC's country director there. "COVID-19 is ripping through the country."
John, I think we all agree that we need glimmers of hope right now. Our teams in Yemen tell us hope is possible. They see it in babies like Enqath.
Enqath's mother could not afford treatment at a hospital — or the transportation to deliver her child.
"I was anxious about running out of blood," she says. "I am anemic."
There was a solution, thankfully. The IRC, active in Yemen since 2012, provides lifesaving emergency aid, medical care, clean water, education, and women's protection to people across the country. We also provide mobile health teams that travel to displacement camps and remote areas offering health care, including maternity services.
Our teams are continuing maternal health programs, while working to stop the spread of the coronavirus. We are providing essential protective gear, clean water and sanitation services, and information about COVID-19 symptoms and prevention. The IRC is training health workers, deploying mobile health teams and supporting health facilities with protective gear and proper water and sanitation services to fight COVID-19, even as we continue our other lifesaving programs. |
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