Yemen: After over a decade of crises, measles threatens children’s lives in Dhamar

"She is my only daughter among three children,” says Amira’s father. “We live two hours away from the nearest hospital. People in our village told us that there is a centre for treating measles at Al-Wahda hospital, so I brought her here. When we arrived, she looked lifeless. I thought she would die at any moment."

Like Amira’s father, many people in Yemen live in great anxiety as their children suffer from measles and their health deteriorates, with many struggling to access healthcare. In the heart of the country, Dhamar governorate has seen a severe outbreak of measles in recent months. After more than a decade of ongoing conflicts that have exhausted the country and significantly limited access to healthcare, people have become vulnerable to preventable diseases. Families watch their children suffer from high fevers, rashes and complications that could have been avoided with timely medical intervention.

"At first, I thought it was too late to save her and perhaps it was better to just let her rest at home till her last moment. But when I eventually came here, the healthcare workers at the isolation centre reassured me,” says Amira’s father. “They explained her condition and promised to do everything they could. They convinced me to leave her in the isolation unit. Now she has a new life – something I never expected after all she went through. I am forever grateful to the team that brought her back to life."

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can easily spread in crowded places and lead to serious health complications, especially in children under five. It is particularly dangerous for those who already have other health conditions or complications. Although it is a potentially deadly disease, it can be prevented through vaccines, which are the most effective way to prevent and control its spread. Vaccination not only protects the individual but also helps achieve community immunity, which is crucial in preventing disease outbreaks.

Because of the continuous increase in measles cases in Yemen over the past few months, MSF has been providing much-needed medical care to children affected by the disease in Dhamar since early April 2025.

One of the key components of MSF’s response is the mobile emergency team, which has a unique ability to respond quickly and directly to communities’ urgent medical needs. The team can quickly mobilize resources, set up temporary clinics and provide immediate medical care to those in need. This rapid response capability is crucial in controlling the spread of infectious diseases like measles.

The team is currently treating patients in the isolation ward at Al-Wahda hospital, which has a capacity of 40 beds. The team also provides free medical consultations through three mobile clinics that travel across six districts in the governorate. Given the difficulties these patients face in accessing necessary healthcare, the team also

provides referral and patient transport services from the mobile clinics to the isolation centre and transfers severe cases from the isolation centre to more advanced medical centres.

Between April and July 2025, the MSF team has treated more than 1400 measles patients in Dhamar through our activities at Al-Wahda hospital and the mobile clinics, with more than 56 percent of patients being children under five. While it is difficult to identify all the factors that increase the challenges of combating measles and other preventable diseases, significant gaps in routine vaccination and limited access to basic healthcare facilities play a major role in the large increase in the number of measles patients.

"Yemen has recently witnessed a worrying increase in measles cases,” says Desma Maina, country director for MSF in Yemen. “This comes amid escalating needs for healthcare and citizens facing difficulties in accessing it – more than 10 years of war and instability have led to the deterioration of health services in the country. With the recent decrease in humanitarian support and international funding for the healthcare system in Yemen, we feel deep concern as we witness communities’ growing medical needs."

The measles outbreak in Yemeni governorates, including Dhamar, is a clear reminder of the importance of vaccination and the need for readiness for rapid medical intervention in times of crisis. As well, the necessity of strengthening preventive measures and community participation and treating cases.

Despite MSF teams’ significant efforts, the scale of needs requires more concerted efforts and a comprehensive and coordinated response from all actors in the health sector to prevent the deterioration of the current situation. Nevertheless, the organization remains committed to supporting the healthcare system in Yemen and providing healthcare to people in need in various areas.