Socotra Island

The United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organization have launched a comprehensive humanitarian initiative to combat severe malnutrition affecting women and children on Yemen’s Socotra Island.

• Global health reports indicate that Socotra Island’s Global Acute Malnutrition rate among children under five has reached 10.9 percent, with Severe Acute Malnutrition affecting 1.6 percent of this population.

Socotra Island–Geographic Context:

• Location: Socotra Archipelago, northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden
• Composition: 4 islands + 2 rocky islets (extension of Horn of Africa)

Ecological Significance:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008
• Known as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean” due to:
  • High percentage of endemic plant and animal species
  • Iconic Dragon’s Blood trees