International Peacemaking and Human Rights Programs - Yemen

Activities by Country

Yemen

The reputed home of the Queen of Sheba, Yemen stopped transmission of Guinea worm disease in 2004, a disease that has existed in the nation since biblical times.

Fighting Disease

In a land of arid mountains and seasonal rains, Yemen's water sources are scarce, and waterborne illnesses present a particular threat to the Yemeni people. However, in 1997, through hard work and with help from The Carter Center, the people of Yemen removed the pain and devastation caused by one ancient waterborne disease, Guinea worm.

Read full text on the Carter Center's health work in Yemen >

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QUICK FACTS: YEMEN

Size: 527,970 square kilometers

Population: 22,230,531

Religions: Muslim, including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a); small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Language: Arabic

Average annual income: $760 USD

Ethnic groups: Arab (predominantly), Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

Life expectancy: 62

(Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook 2008; The World Bank 2006)

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