On December 24, 2024, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed his commitment to enhancing collaboration with the Yemeni government during his first visit to the country.

Meeting with Yemen's Foreign Minister, Sha'if Al-Zandani, in the temporary capital of Aden, Ghebreyesus highlighted that Yemen will remain a priority for the WHO and other UN agencies despite escalating global crises.

According to the Yemeni state news agency Saba, the discussions focused on the existing cooperation between Yemen and various UN organizations, as well as the challenges these agencies face in areas controlled by Houthi militias, including the arrests of humanitarian workers.

Al-Zandani welcomed Ghebreyesus, recognizing the importance of strengthening partnerships with the Yemeni government, particularly in the health sector. He emphasized the need for support for public hospitals and efforts to combat epidemics, reaffirming the Yemeni government’s commitment to providing a secure working environment for international organizations operating in liberated regions.

The meeting was attended by UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen, Julian Harnis, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator Dr. Iman Shankiti, and other key officials from the Yemeni government and health sector.