ADEN, Yemen, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government on Tuesday activated the national Health Emergency Committee amid a spreading measles outbreak that has killed dozens of children and infected thousands since the beginning of 2026.
Local health authorities in government-controlled areas have reported 36 deaths and more than 7,140 cases, prompting urgent appeals to contain the disease and protect vulnerable populations.
In response, Health Minister Qasim Buhaibah convened an expanded meeting in the southern port city of Aden to assess the situation and coordinate containment measures, according to the state-run Saba news agency.
Buhaibah said that activating the committee would strengthen coordination among relevant authorities and accelerate decision-making.
He also called for improved disease surveillance, enhanced preparedness, and more effective early response systems to curb the spread.
Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the internationally-recognized government. The war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, leaving millions facing food insecurity and lacking access to basic services. ■
