The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world; further deteriorating in 2020, driven by an escalating conflict, collapsing economy, a depreciating currency; exacerbated by torrential rains and flooding, COVID-19 and a fuel crisis. An estimated 24.1 million people – over 80 per cent of the population – are in need of some form of assistance, including 14.4 million who are in acute need.

Since 15 November, the State Emergency Commission (SEC) has identified a total of eight clusters of COVID-19 transmission: two in Ulaanbaatar City and one in Selenge, Darkhan-Uul, Gobisumber, Orkhon, Dornogobi and Arkhangai provinces respectively. The clusters are linked with close and secondary contacts of an index case of COVID-19. The government has taken swift action including contact tracing, the immediate testing of identified contacts, the isolation of contacts, quarantine, and treatment of positive cases.

UNFPA’s West and Central Africa Regional Office, based in Dakar, Senegal, provides strategic support and technical expertise to 23 countries.