Yemen

Yemen’s 10-year civil war continues into 2025, as escalations are furthered, deepening one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. More than 21.6 million people are reported to need humanitarian assistance (WHO). This includes the provision of urgent medical care.  

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Disease outbreaks of measles, cholera, polio, and cases of malnutrition are overwhelming the health system with just 46% of healthcare facilities reported to still be functioning. IHP is working in partnership with International Medical Corps to meet the medical needs of displaced populations by supplying medication for long-term chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This medication is critical for managing these health conditions, and preventing them from becoming life-threatening.  

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Since 2019, IHP has supported over 400,000 patients in Yemen with primary healthcare, personal hygiene products, medical supplies, water purification tablets and medication to manage long-term chronic diseases. We will continue to support Yemen into 2025 and beyond.

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Gaza and West Bank

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Elsewhere in the Middle East, conflict, mass displacement and limited humanitarian aid, continue to cripple the populations of Gaza and the West Bank. With no operating hospitals remaining in Gaza, access to medical care and assistance is extremely limited. More than 110,000 people have been injured in Gaza, and the healthcare infrastructure has been decimated. The destruction of water and sanitation sites has increased the risks of water-borne diseases such as cholera. Although IHP welcomes reports of the promised ceasefire deal in Gaza and hopes to see a full activation of this agreement by Sunday 19th January, the humanitarian needs remain critical. Humanitarian access, especially for essential medicines and supplies, must be established without delay to prevent further loss of life.

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Working with Anera, International Medical Corps and Project HOPE, we are bolstering the supply of critical trauma wound dressings and primary healthcare medication to pop-up clinics across Gaza and the West Bank.  IHP has included water purification tablets in our Essential Health Packs to support access to clean water. In 2024 we were able to support more than 2 million patients, and this will continue to be a key area of IHP’s work in 2025, with eleven shipments of essential medicines planned in the coming months.

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Read International Health Partners statement on the Gaza ceasefire agreement here.

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Sudan

The ongoing war in Sudan continues to cause mass disruption and unrest across the country and beyond. More than 14 million people are reported to be forcibly displaced from their homes (IRC).  

‍119 attacks on healthcare facilities were reported between April 2023 and October 2024 (IRC), resulting in a severely weakened healthcare system. Now deadly diseases such as malaria and cholera are rife, and with little healthcare and medication available could continue to spread.  

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IHP’s partner International Medical Corps have been working in Sudan since 2004, offering healthcare support through mobile medical units to help those internally displaced. We are looking into how we can respond to this health crisis in the future, to help best support the needs of the population.

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Syria

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In December 2024, the world witnessed the rapid collapse of Syria’s long-standing government which has led to an intensification of the country’s significant humanitarian crisis. Critical shortages of food, water, and healthcare continue to risk the lives of the Syrian people. Over 13.8 million people remain displaced, and needs continue to rise. It remains uncertain whether the current situation will lead to the strengthening of the nation or a deepening of its current issues.

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Working with the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation (SAMS), IHP is supporting patients with the most urgent chronic and urgent conditions, such as pregnancy and childbirth, trauma, and psychosocial support can access free medication. Since 2021, we have provided medication to support more than 401,500 patients.  

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High incidences of long-term chronic health conditions are prevalent in Syria, including cardiovascular disease which can cause strokes, is now one of the main causes of mortality in Syria. IHP is therefore working with SAMS to ensure that chronic conditions can be managed through prescribed medication.

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Horn of Africa

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The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most vulnerable geographic regions to climate change. Over the last few years, the region has experienced food insecurity, conflict, and recurring periods of drought and flooding. Increasing levels of malnutrition and outbreaks of measles, cholera, malaria, and dengue fever threaten the health of communities.

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Since 2022, IHP has reached over 5 million patients in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia with essential medicine and medical supplies. Our shipments will continue in 2025, including highly effective de-worming medication, primary healthcare medicine and medical supplies, which prevent the spread of infectious disease, help children to stay in school and communities to build futures.

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South Sudan

In October 2024, South Sudan, experienced some of its worst flooding in decades, devastating over half of the country. Fifty-eight health facilities have been destroyed (WHO) and the country has seen a surge in malaria and cholera cases.

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‍Violence between communities and political parties continues to cause destruction, death and displacement. Over 300,000 refugees from Sudan’s conflict have also sought refuge in the country, adding to the 9.4 million in need of aid (Human Rights Watch). Spread across 30 refugee sites, with limited healthcare access, health services are struggling to meet overwhelming needs as disease outbreaks spread.  

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‍This year, we can expect to see more climate shocks, compounding the health crisis in South Sudan.  

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Partnering with International Medical Corps, IHP is providing medication to refugee and internally displaced peoples in South Sudan. Since 2016, IHP has supported 1.5 million patients access medication. Shipments of 119 Essential Health Packs (EHPs) have resourced health providers to help those most vulnerable with a diverse range of primary healthcare medication.  

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‍We are in close communication with our partner, to identify future opportunities for collaboration and to meet the needs of the population  

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Philippines

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The Philippines' location in the Pacific typhoon belt leaves it prone to natural disasters. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the frequency and velocity of these disasters is increasing. 74% of the Filipino population are reported to be vulnerable to environmental hazards. We can only expect that the number of these hazards to increase over the next year, as climate shocks become more frequent.  

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‍The fragmented healthcare system in the Philippines, due to the geographical make-up of the country, coupled with the high levels of poverty, makes access to healthcare in some regions severely restricted, including Bicol, where IHP and Children International have partnered together since January 2024 to support the local hospitals and health clinics with the provision of medical supplies, such as syringes and IV's. Medical supplies are critical in enabling and facilitating doctors and healthcare professionals to perform operations, examinations, and tests. In 2025, we are looking for opportunities to see how we can work with Children International to enable more people to access healthcare in Bicol and Manila.

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