UNICEF Airlifts More Supplies To Respond To COVID-19 In Yemen

NEW YORK (August 23, 2020) – In response to the increasing need for COVID-19 supplies in Yemen, a UNICEF chartered plane landed at Sana’a airport on Saturday, August 22 with 81.7 tons of lifesaving supplies to help curb the spread of the disease in the conflict-hit country. Another charter plane is scheduled to arrive in Aden later this week.

The supplies include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items such as aprons, respirators, surgical masks, face shields, goggles and gloves for frontline health workers as well as oxygen concentrators and their accessories.

“These supplies will allow frontline health workers to continue their heroic job of safely and more effectively addressing the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Sherin Varkey, UNICEF Representative a.i. “UNICEF is staying and delivering to reach children and families in need across the country in spite of the funding shortfall and the challenges brought by the pandemic.”

Since the first COVID-19 case was officially confirmed in Yemen on April 10, UNICEF has provided about 180,000 N95 respirators, over 157,000 face shields, over 5.5 million gloves, over 6.2 million masks and over 1.3 million aprons for use in the country. This crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) will support about 20,000 frontline health workers ensure continuity of health and nutrition services 6 months.

These lifesaving supplies were provided with thanks to generous support from the International Development Association-World Bank, the Kuwait Fund and the Government of Australia.

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org
Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org