Yemen SIG
Vision and Aims
Yemen is currently in its eleventh year of conflict but is largely out of view of the rest of the world, except for recent events in the Red Sea. The country has significant public health needs and opportunities for action by the global community.
Our vision as a Special Interest Group (SIG) is to enable action that addresses the public health needs of Yemenis. This vision has three distinct but interconnected aims for the next three years:
- Advocate for Yemen and raise the profile of its needs and opportunities.
- Strengthen public health skills and research capabilities of health practitioners in Yemen or projects relating to Yemen.
- Support knowledge sharing and networking between those with an interest in improving public health outcomes for Yemen.
Objectives
- Provide a forum for FPH members who are interested in the contribution that public health can make to improving the health of the population of Yemen in a war and post war situation.
- Contribute new ideas and possible policy avenues to the agenda of the health in Yemen.
- Pilot and evaluate the use of social media to disseminate preventative messages to populations displaced by war and to areas where the health system has collapsed.
- Support the work of the Global Violence Prevention SIG (by drawing the practical experience of the Yemen SIG) in collating and developing a body of evidence-based knowledge on what are the important actions to take to develop and rebuild the health system during and post conflict.
Chair
The Yemen SIG is chaired by Rachel Handley (handley.re@gmail.com) and reports to the Faculty's Global Health Committee.
Join the Yemen SIG
FPH members can join this SIG by logging into their FPH members’ portal account, selecting the ‘Committees/SIGs’ button and choosing the correct SIG. You will then be asked to provide a few details, following which your application will be automatically approved. Further details on FPH membership are available here.
SIG's newsletter
The Yemen SIG has committed to producing a quarterly newsletter to highlight some of the group's work and opportunities. The first edition is available in the link below.
Yemen SIG Quarterly Newsletter | Autumn 2023
SIG updates
- Yemen SIG update May 2019
- Yemen SIG update July 2019
- Update on Yemen Mobile Health Project December 2019
- Yemen SIG update March 2020
- Update on Yemen Mobile Health Project June 2020
- Information on the situation in Yemen June 2020
Webinar recordings
Faculty members can visit the FPH Members Portal to watch webinar recordings.
Workplan
Activity: Political advocacy work (politicians) with Yemeni diaspora via National Peace Movement
Outcome: As a partner of the National Peace Movement, provide Yemen-specific expertise for political advocacy work.
Target date: Develop a project proposal on reintroducing PHC in 3 of Taiz districts
Named lead: TQ
Progress to date: TBC
Outputs: Attendance at relevant group meetings and events. Sharing of events with wider network.
Activity:
- Collaboration with People-Praxis and Health Professionals for Yemen (HPY-UK)
- Provision of mentoring for public health practitioners in Yemen
- Provide support to publish papers on primary research in Yemen
Outcome: Provide 1:1 support for individuals seeking to carry out research in Yemen as part of an academic course, offer mentoring both undergraduate and Masters’ degree in public health.
Target date: Ongoing
Named lead: TQ, AH, JD
Progress to date: Potential Courses are: Research methods, Critical Appraisal and Literature review
Outputs:
- Re-launch mentoring opportunities for Yemen PH staff on new mentorship platform
- Find new mentors for Yemen work Programme
Activity: Provide public health teaching and training for Yemeni health workforce who are interested in public health in Yemen (online)
Outcome: Upskill non-public health Yemeni workforce on basic public health skills and knowledge.
Target date:
- Explore opportunities training with Taiz Institute
- Visit PHC centres/Unit in Taiz Governate to assess training needs of staff
Named lead: TQ
Progress to date: Initial scoping meetings/visits in April.
Outputs:
Assess further actions following scoping work:
- Contact Taiz Institute about training health workers through online workshops and whether they can incorporate PH training into their curriculum
- Visit PHC units outside of Taiz
Activity:
- Explore opportunities to collaborate with other SIGs on training
- Explore university links
Outcome: Establish working partnership between a UK university and the University of Taiz.
Target date: By end of next academic year
Named lead: RH, JH
Progress to date: Initial scoping to be completed March 2025
Outputs:
- Use LinkedIn Group to generate updates on situation in Yemen and events or opportunities relevant to public health in Yemen.
- Publish annual summary report of SIG work.
- Prepare brief on models and present to Taiz Institute.
- Explore opportunities and identify UK universities who express interest.
- Proceed to develop formal partnership.
Activity: Update on situation in Yemen/ work programme when needed
Outcome: Raise awareness of the situation in Yemen and keep track of any work taken on by members of the SIG and potential opportunities for projects or support against priorities.
Target date: On-going
Named lead: RH
Progress to date: TBC
Outputs: TBC
Activity: Continue to explore opportunities for future
Outcome: TBC
Target date: Ongoing
Named lead: All
Progress to date: TBC
Outputs: TBC
