Why Yemen?

Yemen is one of the least developed countries in the world, and the poorest in the Middle East, with a GDP per capita of only $590, and a rapidly growing, very young population. Some 40% live below the poverty line.
 

Health services throughout the country are poor or non-existent.  Although a few doctors in Yemen carry out basic lip repairs, there are no permanent cleft screening facilities or established cleft lip and palate medical services in the country.

Medical professionals in Yemen are generally not experienced or equipped to handle difficult cleft problems, and do not provide long-term care.
 

A hidden problem

No-one knows exactly how many cleft children there are in Yemen.  Yemen Smile`s experience from its inception in 2004 suggests that cleft lip and palate deformities may be widespread, particularly in rural areas - and the conditions generally goes untreated.

In the absence of suitable treatment, cleft children are kept hidden away at home, and most have to live with their deformities for the rest of their lives. Marriage or a proper job are usually impossible. 

Cleft lip and palate conditions can be treated and the cost of surgery is very low - although often even basic treatment is out of reach for Yemeni families in poverty.
 

HOW YOU CAN HELP
 

Yemen Smile relies entirely on donations to carry on its work.
 

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