Nine effective civil society organizations in Yemen issued a joint statement calling for stopping the war and fighting, ending the state of division, and full time to confront the likely spread of Corona epidemic; stressing the urgency of taking a package of urgent measures and procedures.
In their statement, local organizations declared full involvement with all their abilities, cadres and teams to support the governmental efforts and local authorities all over Yemen to confront the epidemic and its consequences, emphasizing the true partnership between the governmental authorities in Sana’a, Aden, the private sector, civil society organizations, humanitarian response partners and all concerned parties, and using the time to work in a unified and orderly way.

The statement reads as follows:

Civil society organizations in Yemen are following up with deep concern the worldwide spread of Corona epidemic, its impact on more victims and patients, its destruction of the economies of the major countries, in addition to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) warnings against inaction in confronting the epidemic and “preparing for a large-scale transmission of infection”.
Although Yemen has no confirmed virus infection so far, the continuation of the sixth year’s war and internal fighting, and the divisions between the Yemeni parties represent a great challenge, and portend serious consequences for the country whose health system is facing near collapse, and most of its population lack food and clean drinking water.
In order to avoid the disaster, we call on all to deal responsibly with the serious dangers and consequences of the epidemic and declare:
1-Our support to the United Nations calls for stopping the war and armed conflicts in Yemen, and to be full-time to confront a possible spread of the virus and implement an emergency and coordinated response to protect Yemenis.
2- We appeal to the United Nations and international organizations to maintain the continuity of humanitarian operations in Yemen and to provide more life-saving assistance to millions of Yemenis, especially in these very complicated circumstances and risks.
3-The international community should not give up its humanitarian responsibility toward Yemen, which would increase the risk of the spread of Coronavirus, and it would be difficult to contain it with a fragile health system and lack of resources.
4-Accelerate the formation of a joint emergency committee between Sana’a and Aden, in real partnership with the private sector, concerned international organizations and civil society organizations, and work in a coordinated manner to address the potential spread of Coronavirus and reduce the consequences of the epidemic.
5-Preparing temporary hospitals to isolate and care people infected with the virus, provide quarantine rooms with all medical equipment for diagnosis, treatment and shelter and food services, and provide safety tools for doctors and health workers.
6-Contact with donor countries and international organizations and funds to provide funding for “Health Security” in Yemen at this phase, to maintain basic health services, whose neglect may have a disastrous effect worse than the spread of Coronavirus.
7-Agreement with the Humanitarian Pooled Fund in Yemen to allocate the greatest amount of support in its humanitarian response plans to health, water, sanitation and hygiene.
8-Expansion of the WHO-funded “Minimum Health Services Package Project”, which provides basic health care to millions of Yemenis, meets the urgent needs of the most vulnerable groups, and keeps the health system from complete collapse.
9-Payment of salaries to all civil servants and pensioners, and transfer of social security assistance to poor families so that these groups can withstand the consequences of the global pandemic.
10-Provision of commercial and credit facilities to the private sector to provide citizens with food and commodities.
11-Involvement of the private sector and local producers in the provision of health prevention equipment and supplies due to limited quantities in Yemen and the global shortage.
12-We call upon all Yemeni embassies and consulates to follow up the situation of Yemenis abroad and to provide them with the necessary care.
13-We warn against the negligence of the severity of this epidemic as it spreads rapidly, and call on Yemenis to abide by the precautionary measures approved by the emergency committees and local authorities, and to emphasize the safety measures in all ports and avoid gatherings in markets, mosques and Qat chowing chambers.

In conclusion: We trust that all parties and humanitarian partners will respond to the initiative, in order to ensure safety for all.

issued by:
Abs Development Organization for woman and child
Sustainable Development Foundation
Field Medical Foundation
Tamdeen Youth Foundation
Relief and Development Peer Foundation
Life Makers Meeting Place Organization
Yemeni Development Network
Soul for Development Organization
Medical Mercy Foundation