The disease could spread very quickly, particularly in overcrowded settings like cities and camps for displaced people. It will be difficult to respond if the outbreak reaches rural areas, where health facilities barely exist and there is little or no possibility of testing, contact-tracing, isolation and other public health measures, like social distancing, which have been implemented around the world.
The few hospitals and health centers that remain lack the intensive care capacity to treat the most critically ill patients. Hospitals will quickly become overwhelmed while still trying to treat casualties from the fighting as well as responding to other medical needs.
As well as assisting the authorities in treating COVID-19, it is essential that humanitarian actors like MSF are guaranteed access and can continue their emergency life-saving activities around the country, including care for pregnant women, people injured in the fighting, and children suffering from malnutrition.
Over the past few weeks MSF began collaborating with the various Yemeni authorities on their plans for the COVID-19 response. We will do our best to support the Yemeni people during this outbreak, but until we are able to bring further staff or supplies into the country, our capacity will be limited.
MSF has been continuously present in the Yemen since 2007 and currently runs projects and supports facilities in 13 governorates.