Barran Press
The United States has announced its willingness to provide polio vaccines to all children in Yemen, warning that the Houthi militia's continued obstruction of immunization campaigns in areas under their control is putting more Yemeni children at risk.
In a brief statement released on social media monitored by "Barran Press", the US embassy in Yemen stated that areas controlled by the Houthis are experiencing "a rise in the rate of polio and other preventable diseases."
The statement further accused the Houthis of preventing "access to life-saving immunization services" and of continuing to block vaccination campaigns, "putting more Yemeni children at risk."
"The US Agency for International Development (USAID), along with other international partners, is ready to provide the necessary polio vaccines for all children in Yemen," the statement added.
On July 15, the internationally recognized Yemeni government's Ministry of Public Health and Population, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launched the second round of a polio vaccination campaign targeting 1.3 million children in 12 Yemeni governorates under government control.
In recent years, the Houthi militia has prevented the implementation of polio vaccination campaigns in areas under their control, often accompanied by propaganda campaigns that demonize vaccines.
Houthi propaganda efforts have included events and seminars attacking medical vaccines, claiming they pose health risks and are part of a global conspiracy against humanity.
The Houthis' obstruction of vaccination campaigns and their anti-vaccine propaganda come despite the noticeable spread of diseases and epidemics in areas under their control.
The Yemeni government has warned of a resurgence of polio in Houthi-controlled areas following the militia's prevention of vaccination teams from carrying out their duties, calling on the UN and international organizations to intervene and allow medical teams to do their work.
The Supreme National Emergency Committee stated that there is an outbreak of polio in Houthi-controlled areas after Yemeni authorities successfully eradicated the disease 14 years ago, specifically in 2006.
The US offer of polio vaccines comes at a crucial time, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and access to essential healthcare services in Yemen, particularly in areas controlled by the Houthis. The situation underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the country's health system and the need for a peaceful resolution to allow for the delivery of vital medical services to all Yemenis.