UAE, WHO complete first phase of joint health and nutrition assessment in Socotra

The United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), have successfully completed the first phase of a multi-stage initiative to assess and improve health and nutrition outcomes on Socotra Island, Yemen.

Launched in late May, the year-long joint project includes four scheduled field missions, forming part of a broader effort to strengthen the island's health system. The overarching goal is to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20% over the next two to five years through an integrated, evidence-based approach, WAM reported.

During the baseline assessment, field teams surveyed 38 villages across 29 sub-districts of Socotra. Initial results show that 93% of the targeted health facilities were assessed. Data was gathered from 4,214 households, surpassing expectations, while more than 930 caregiver interviews were conducted.

Teams also collected anthropometric measurements from eligible mothers and children to evaluate nutritional status and facilitated 12 focus group discussions with various community groups.

In addition, all 15 planned key informant interviews were completed with local and national authorities, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders. The team also exceeded its goal by carrying out 546 client exit interviews to collect feedback on healthcare services provided on the island.

The project now enters the next stage, where data will be cleaned, verified, and analyzed to produce a final report. The report will offer an in-depth snapshot of maternal and child health and nutrition conditions in Socotra, as well as the performance and readiness of health facilities - particularly in relation to emergency preparedness. These insights will directly inform the design and prioritization of the next stages of intervention.

Future phases of the program will include the delivery of medical and non-medical supplies, recruitment of specialized personnel, technical training for health workers, and public health awareness campaigns. All activities will be coordinated closely with WHO, MoPHP, and relevant partners to ensure alignment with Yemen’s national health strategies.