UN: 4.9 million people in Yemen suffer from disability

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a recent report that 4.9 million people in Yemen suffer from some form of disability, with the number likely to be higher due to widespread landmines and explosive remnants of war.

The report said: “Yemen’s prolonged crisis has left countless individuals displaced, injured, and traumatized. Among the affected population are persons with disabilities, including those with physical and/or mental disabilities, who face a unique set of challenges".

“A lack of comprehensive disability data—notably in [North] Yemen—hampers the understanding of their needs and the challenges they face, particularly for women and girls with disabilities. This makes the situation for persons with disabilities in Yemen incredibly challenging, with their needs often overlooked," the report added.

The report said that "displaced persons with disabilities, in particular, face additional vulnerabilities in camps, such as insecurity, violence, and lack of safe, accessible facilities.”