World Health Organization launches 2026‑2035 WASH strategy and expands emergency health services in Yemen

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new water, sanitation, hygiene and waste (WASH) strategy for 2026‑2035. The plan aims to substantially improve health by ensuring safe water, sanitation and hygiene services worldwide. It highlights that unsafe WASH contributes to at least 1.4 million preventable deaths each year, with 2.1 billion people lacking safely managed drinking water and 3.4 billion lacking safely managed sanitation. The strategy seeks to strengthen partnerships, mobilise investment and align with the Sustainable Development Goals and UN water policies.

In Yemen, WHO-supported health teams have expanded emergency surgery, maternal and child health services and outbreak response across four hard‑to‑reach districts. More than 42,000 people have benefited, including internally displaced families. Between August 2025 and February 2026, 864 emergency surgeries were performed, nearly doubling the original target. Health workers delivered over 14,000 obstetric and gynecological consultations, 4,600 antenatal visits, 12,000 pediatric consultations, and assisted roughly 2,700 deliveries with no maternal deaths recorded. Over 5,200 patients with chronic conditions received treatment, ensuring continuity of care amid ongoing conflict and disease outbreaks.