FOCUS
Ensuring a healthy future
Ending hunger and poverty
MDGs ADDRESSED:
MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality
MDG 5: Improve Maternal Mortality
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Yemen is one of the most economically challenged countries in the Arab world, with the highest maternal and infant mortality rates among Arab nations. Every day, eight Yemeni women die giving birth.
Yemen is located at the bottom of the Saudi peninsula, separated from African continent by the Gulf of Aden. In 2006, more than 22,000 refugees, primarily Somalis, crossed the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen. The 24-hour voyage can be harrowing because of the overcrowded boats and mistreatment by the crew. Refugees are often forced to swim ashore. Reports indicate over 1500 have drowned crossing from Somalia to Yemen in recent months.
Our PARTNER
ERD is partnering with the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, one of four dioceses in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The diocese includes Cyprus, the Gulf States, Iraq and Yemen. In every part of the diocese, except in Cyprus, the congregations are primarily composed of expatriate Christians from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the African continent.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
ERD is working in partnership with The Christ Church Center and Ras Morbat Clinic. Christ Church Center operates a multi-facted outreach program for refugees. Ras Morbat Clinic, established 10 years ago, offers gynecological care as well as specialized eye surgery.
Primary Health Care Initiatives
ERD is ensuring vital health care and support services for the poorest residents of the city of Aden, including newly-arrived refugees from Sudan and Somalia.
- Pre-natal care keeps expectant mothers healthy during pregnancy, and improves birth weight of infants.
- A specialized eye clinic performs one half of all cataract operations in a city of 750, 000 people.
- Emergency first aid saves lives of refugees newly arrived in Yemen, many of whom are injured during their swim to the shore.
- Counseling offers to comfort to those who have lost children or partners during their voyage.
- Emergency health care, including surgery and drugs, saves the lives of serious ill refugees.
Food Security Initiatives
ERD is assisting newly arrived refugees as they begin their lives in Aden.
- English language classes and job placement services help refugees earn income to support themselves and their families.
- Coordination with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees assists refugees to obtain refugee status and necessary legal documents to live and work in Yemen.
