Our work in Yemen
In 2018, Sightsavers started working in Yemen to distribute treatments to protect against trachoma. More than 444,000 doses of antibiotics were given out during the first week-long distribution programme.
Yemen has been ravaged by years of civil war, leaving many people unable to access clean water or sanitation. These conditions have helped trachoma to thrive.
It’s thought that up to 2.8 million people in Yemen are at risk of contracting this blinding eye disease.
In 2018, with the help of our partners, we started work in Yemen to distribute the first antibiotics to protect people against trachoma. A team of more than 4,000 volunteers were trained to go door to door to give out the medication, and the majority of the volunteers were women: they were chosen because they are able to go into houses to treat other women and children, while men are often not admitted because of local customs.
More campaigns are now being planned in other districts in Yemen.
How we’re fighting trachoma in Yemen
We’re helping to train female volunteers so they can go door to door to distribute medication. This enables them to reach as many members of the community as possible, ensuring everyone receives the treatment they need.
More about the programmeYour donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from west Asia
Sightsavers film shortlisted for Cannes World Film Festival award
Noor, a short film about the impact of childhood visual impairment, has been selected for the ‘Best health film’ category at the Cannes World Film Festival.
“Now I know what a gift sight is”
Arif’s life changed when he had two cataract operations at five years old. We've been following his journey since then, from completing his education to finding work as a driver.
It started with a tuk-tuk: Shamima’s story
Shamima, who has hearing and speech impairments, was able to access vital treatment after her sister heard about Sightsavers’ free eye camps.
Who is Hussain fundraises for Sightsavers at half-marathon
The charitable foundation is raising £35,000 for Sightsavers’ work in Pakistan through its Sprint for Sight campaign.
“Now we can get the help we need”
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Right to Health project worked with transgender communities to remove the barriers they face when accessing inclusive eye health services.
How the Keep Sight initiative aims to overcome inequalities when diagnosing glaucoma
The project raises awareness of glaucoma in an effort to reduce the number of people going blind if their condition is left untreated.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work