The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has resumed health services at Ras Alara’a in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, a key transit point for migrants, after suspending operations in 2019 due to funding shortages. With support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this initiative aims to provide critical healthcare to migrants and crisis-affected communities despite ongoing financial constraints.
IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, emphasized the importance of this intervention, stating that everyone deserves access to healthcare, regardless of their circumstances. The reopened facility will offer essential medical services, including emergency and primary care, medication supplies, and training for healthcare workers. IOM also plans to strengthen referral pathways for both migrants and host communities.
Yemen’s healthcare system remains under severe strain, with nearly 19.7 million people projected to need medical assistance in 2025, while 40% of health facilities are either non-functional or only partially operational. The arrival of over 60,000 migrants in 2024 has further exacerbated these challenges. Many face dire conditions, including disease outbreaks, dehydration, malnutrition, and violence, making access to medical care even more urgent.
Beyond restoring Ras Alara’a, IOM is expanding its healthcare services across key regions such as Aden, Shabwah, Al Bayda, Sana’a, and Ma’rib. The initiative will provide outpatient care, child and maternal health services, disease prevention programs, and mental health support. Collaborating with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) and local stakeholders, IOM aims to build a more sustainable healthcare system that ensures migrants and vulnerable communities receive the care they need.