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29 May 2023
#WHOYemen & #UNHCRYemen: Protection through Health in Yemen
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Story
28 May 2023
UNFPA Yemen: Devastating still preventable: Obstetric fistula
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Press Release
25 May 2023
Joint News Release: Conflict and economic crisis drive food insecurity and malnutrition in Yemen
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Yemen
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Yemen:
Publication
19 April 2023
UN YEMEN COUNTRY RESULTS REPORT 2022
Yemen has been embroiled in an eight-yearlong armed conflict that has resulted in increased economic turmoil, human displacement, infrastructure damage, and widespread suffering.
By the end of the year, more than two-thirds of Yemen’s population (21.6 million people, including 12.9 million children) required humanitarian assistance, whilst an estimated 4.5 million people, including 2 million children - 14% of the population, were internally displaced.
The conflict has divided the country, exacerbated poverty, crippled the economy, destroyed critical infrastructure and livelihoods, and weakened the population’s and institutions’ resilience and capacities. More than USD 25 billion would be required for recovery and reconstruction.
The governance system is weak and fragmented, with tense central-subnational relations and competing policies. Political bureaucracy and interference by conflict parties hampered UN operations on the ground, causing costly delays, increasing the risk of security threats to staff and implementing partners, and limiting female staff mobility.
Citizens’ trust in institutions was eroded, resulting in macroeconomic instability and suboptimal service delivery, which exacerbated the conditions of the most vulnerable groups.
The crisis has had a particularly negative impact on progress towards the 2030 Agenda, with both humanitarian and development needs increasing, making it difficult to prioritise programming strategies and secure critical funds. Yemen is ranked 183 out of 191 countries in the Human Development Index with a score of 0.455 in 2021/2022.
By the end of the year, more than two-thirds of Yemen’s population (21.6 million people, including 12.9 million children) required humanitarian assistance, whilst an estimated 4.5 million people, including 2 million children - 14% of the population, were internally displaced.
The conflict has divided the country, exacerbated poverty, crippled the economy, destroyed critical infrastructure and livelihoods, and weakened the population’s and institutions’ resilience and capacities. More than USD 25 billion would be required for recovery and reconstruction.
The governance system is weak and fragmented, with tense central-subnational relations and competing policies. Political bureaucracy and interference by conflict parties hampered UN operations on the ground, causing costly delays, increasing the risk of security threats to staff and implementing partners, and limiting female staff mobility.
Citizens’ trust in institutions was eroded, resulting in macroeconomic instability and suboptimal service delivery, which exacerbated the conditions of the most vulnerable groups.
The crisis has had a particularly negative impact on progress towards the 2030 Agenda, with both humanitarian and development needs increasing, making it difficult to prioritise programming strategies and secure critical funds. Yemen is ranked 183 out of 191 countries in the Human Development Index with a score of 0.455 in 2021/2022.
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Press Release
26 May 2023
Joint News Release: Conflict and economic crisis drive food insecurity and malnutrition in Yemen
In a new Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis on Yemen released today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that, despite the slight improvements, nearly all districts under the control of the GoY were assessed to be facing high levels of food insecurity.
Yemen remains one of the most food insecure countries globally, mainly driven by the impact of conflict and economic decline, the three UN agencies added.
The report shows that Yemen continues to require attention, with hunger stalking millions of people and the situation could worsen if nothing is done to address the key drivers of food insecurity in the Middle Eastern country.
Despite modest improvements, second half of 2023 needs more investment
Today’s report showed that between January and May 2023, about 3.2 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in the GoY areas, and these are classified in severe food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above), representing a 23 percent reduction from the October – December 2022 estimates.
Additionally, the number of people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) almost halved to 781,000 compared to the estimates for the last quarter of 2022.
The three UN agencies warned that these modest improvements were only a ‘temporary reprieve’ as the key drivers of food insecurity remain and are projected to worsen during the period June to December 2023.
The IPC report projected a 20 percent increase in the number of people facing IPC Phase 3 and above (638,500 additional people) during the June to December period. The number of people likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) is estimated to increase to 3.9 million (41 percent), out of which 2.8 million people are estimated to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and 1.1 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).
The situation is likely to be compounded by a 20 percent decrease in humanitarian food assistance levels and the anticipated increase in food prices. While there has been a relative calm, sporadic fighting may continue in the frontline districts which further impacts food security.
Children and pregnant and lactating mothers facing acute malnutrition
As acute malnutrition continues to worsen in southern governorates, it is estimated that in 2023, half a million children will be acutely malnourished, including nearly 100,000 children who are likely to be severely malnourished. It is also estimated that up to a quarter million pregnant and lactating women (PLW) will be acutely malnourished, while child stunting levels are also very high, ranging from 35.9 percent in Abyan Lowland to 64.3 percent in Hodeida Southern Lowland.
Critical situations of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 4) persist in some parts of the southern areas. The area-level classification is expected to deteriorate further during the projection period for acute malnutrition with all 16 zones of southern governorates being classified in IPC AMN phases 3 (Serious) and above, including seven zones in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical).
David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said: “The United Nations and its partners made strides in rolling back the worst food insecurity last year, but these gains remain fragile and 17 million people are still food insecure in Yemen. We thank generous donors for commitments made so far but need further support to reach the level of funding received last year to sustain an integrated humanitarian response. With adequate resources, we will reach millions of Yemenis with critical food and nutrition support, clean water, basic health care, protection and other necessities, while building people’s resilience and preparing communities across the country to withstand future shocks.”
“FAO is seized with this situation, and we are working directly with farmers on the ground to enable them to maintain their livelihoods. We make sure that smallholder farmers in Yemen will withstand any shocks which impact food security. As such, our focus, through various interventions, is to improve household food security and income by strengthening agricultural production practices, increasing labour opportunities, and diversifying livelihoods in a sustainable way that fosters peaceful coexistence,” said FAO Yemen Representative, Dr. Hussein Gadain.
UNICEF and partners reached about 420,000 children suffering from severe and acute malnutrition with lifesaving interventions in 2022., This is the highest ever reached in Yemen, thanks to the scale up of nutrition services in 4700 PHC facilities. Despite this, malnutrition levels remain critical in many areas of the Southern Governorates. A multi sectoral approach to address all forms of malnutrition is essential and together with partners UNICEF is strengthening the provision of primary health care, including early detection and treatment of severe acute malnutrition”, said UNICEF Yemen Representative, Peter Hawkins.
“WFP’s assistance is critical for getting people to firmer ground, for averting crisis and famine, for a better future, and we urge our donors to renew their commitment to supporting the most vulnerable Yemenis. Yemen's food insecurity situation remains fragile, and the hard-won gains of the past 12 months will be lost without continued and urgent support from our donors. There are women, men and children behind these IPC statistics, whose lives straddle the fine line between hope and utter devastation. We simply cannot take our foot off the gas now,” said WFP Country Director, Richard Ragan.
#####
Notes for editors:
About FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 members, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
About UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
About WFP: The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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Press Release
04 May 2023
Statement: Remarks at the pledging event for the FSO Safer operation co-hosted by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
First, I want echo Achim’s thank you to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for having organized this event.
And for contributing generously.
A third element that they both deserve credit for is recognizing early on the promise of a private-sector initiative to address the Safer which the Fahem Group and SMIT Salvage proposed in mid-2021 – a time when the previous UN plan to inspect the Safer was not moving.
The initiative called for a leading maritime salvage company to transfer the oil off the Safer and replace the decaying supertanker’s capacity.
That was the basis upon which the United Nations principals asked me to lead and coordinate UN system-wide efforts on the Safer, in September 2021.
In December 2021, United Nations senior management endorsed the UN-coordinated plan and asked UNDP to implement it, contingent upon donor funding.
In February 2021, I met with the Government of Yemen in Aden, which confirmed its support for the plan.
They have remained supportive ever since – as evidenced by a $5 million pledge that they made last year.
The Sana’a authorities had been favorable to the original initiative, but insisted that it be done under UN auspices.
In March 2022, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN that committed them to facilitating the operation.
A commitment that they continue to honor.
The agreement was also signed by myself with the Fahem Group, which has supported engagement in Sana’a on the initiative since 2021 on a voluntary basis.
By April 2022, the UN presented a draft operational plan to begin fundraising. The original budget for phase 1 and 2 was $144 million.
As Achim said, the Netherlands pledging event in The Hague last May brought in $33 million, which was a catalyst to move us to where we are today.
But finding funds to prevent a catastrophe proved far more difficult than finding money for a disaster.
In June, we launched a public crowdfunding campaign for the operation.
That has now brought in more than $250,000. More importantly, it captured media attention that galvanized further support for the plan.
In August, we received the first pledge from a private entity. $1.2 million from the HSA Group. The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers followed with a $10 million pledge and Trafigura Foundation with $1 million.
The private sector, we learned, was concerned about its liability linked to a contribution. UNDP, in particular, led the effort to resolve those issues of concern which gives us a basis for further private sector contributions.
By September last year, the UN met the target of $75 million to start the operation.
Unfortunately, even as UNDP was gearing up to begin, the cost of suitable replacement vessels surged, chiefly due to developments related to the war in Ukraine.
More money was also needed to start the initial phase because of the necessity to purchase a replacement vessel – also linked to the war in Ukraine as suitable vessels for lease were no longer available. The budget for the emergency phase – during which the oil will be transferred – is now $129 million. Most of the funding is now required up front in phase one. Now, the second phase only requires $19 million to complete the project.
So, the budget of $148 million is just $4 million more than was presented to donors a year ago.
Prior to today’s announcements, we had raised $99.6 million from member states, the private sector and the general public.
The general public has provided donations from $1 to $5,000.
The broad coalition working to prevent the catastrophe also includes environmental groups like Greenpeace and, in Yemen, Holm Akhdar.
Every part of the United Nations is involved, including the International Maritime Organization, the UN Environmental Progamme, and the World Food Progamme. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is among those that have worked on the Safer file for years and has now ensured $20 million of bridging finance. That would need to be replenished by donor funding.
I also want to recognize the United States for playing a tireless role in mobilizing resources. It is among the top five donors, together with the Netherlands, Germany, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
On 9 March, UNDP’s Administrator took the bold decision to purchase the replacement vessel Nautica – before all of the operation was in place.
That is because UNDP recognized the extraordinary problem and understood that the cost of inaction is too great, as Achim outlined.
UNDP also contracted the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage, which played an enormously helpful role in developing the UN plan long before it had a contract.
With both the Nautica and the SMIT vessel Ndeavor en route to Djibouti, we expect the operation to start before the end of the month.
Therefore, I thank all donors for the generous support, and we look forward to further generous support.
But the risk of disaster remains.
I am forever thankful to the heroic skeleton crew aboard the Safer that continues to do all it can to keep that vessel together until we can organize this salvage operation.
None of us will heave a sigh of relief until the oil is transferred.
And we will all heave a final sigh of relief when the critical second phase is completed. This requires that the project is fully funded as described.
As everyone has said we are just one step away so lets take the final step.
Thank you.
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Publication
10 May 2022
FSO SAFER UN-Coordinated Proposal Explainer April 27, 2023
Moored off the Red Sea coast of Yemen, the FSO Safer is a rapidly decaying supertanker holding four times the amount of oil the Exxon Valdez spilled. It could break up or explode at any time, unleashing a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe centered on a country already decimated by years of war. Such a spill would result in lasting environmental damage and profound economic costs across the region. A disruption in shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal would result in billions of dollars in trade losses every day.
Donors have generously pledged $99.6 million for the UN-coordinated plan to transfer the oil to a safe long-term replacement vessel. $77.5 million of the funds were received by December 2022. However, the prices to charter or purchase a suitable vessel to store the oil surged, chiefly due to factors related to the war in Ukraine. The United Nations Development Programme secured a suitable very large crude carrier, which is sailing to the Red Sea, and contracted a global leading maritime services company to do the work. Its service vessel is also en route. But further funding is needed.
If the gap of $29.4 million for the emergency phase of the operation is closed quickly, the work can begin in May.
Background Constructed in 1976 as a supertanker and converted a decade later to be a floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) for oil, the Safer is moored about 4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Hodeidah governorate in Yemen. The vessel holds an estimated 1.14 million barrels of light crude oil. Production, offloading and maintenance operations on the Safer were suspended in 2015 because of the war. The Safer’s structural integrity has significantly deteriorated. All assessments indicate that the vessel is beyond repair and at imminent risk of spilling oil. It could break up at any time – or explode because the systems required to pump inert gas into its tanks ceased functioning in 2017. A significant spill would surpass national capacity and resources to effectively respond. The costs of a major oil spill The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion.
A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Half a million people working in the fishing industry there have 1.7 million dependents. Two hundred thousand livelihoods could be instantly wiped out. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins.
A major oil spill could close the nearby ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring in food, fuel and lifesaving supplies into a country where 17 million people are in need of food assistance. The environmental impact of a major spill on water, coral reefs, life-supporting mangroves and other sea life would be severe. Oil could reach the shores of Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
Desalination plants on the Red Sea coast could be closed, cutting off a water source for millions of people. The spill would also produce highly polluted air over a large area.
Vital shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Suez Canal could be disrupted for an extended period, costing billions of dollars per day. Tourism would also suffer.
UN-coordinated plan to resolve the threat In September 2021, United Nations senior management instructed the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, to provide UN system-wide leadership on the FSO Safer and coordinate all efforts to prevent the threat and strengthen contingency plans in the event of a catastrophic oil spill. This followed earlier efforts in the highly politicized environment of the conflict. After discussions with relevant stakeholders, the United Nations produced a plan to prevent a spill by transferring the oil to a safe vessel and installing long-term replacement capacity for the Safer. The draft UN-coordinated plan was strongly supported by United Nations senior management in December 2021.
The UN has engaged closely with the Government of Yemen in Aden, which has regularly reiterated support for the initiative over the past year.
The Sana’a-based authorities, who control the area where the vessel is located, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UN on 5 March 2022, establishing a framework for cooperation in which the Sana’a-based authorities committed to facilitating the success of the project. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing this complex and high-risk project. The operation on the water comprises two phases: An emergency phase, during which a leading global salvage company will inspect the Safer and make it safe for the operation, transfer the oil into a replacement vessel, and ready the FSO Safer to be towed away; and The installation of a catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy to which the replacement VLCC will be connected as safe long-term replacement capacity for the Safer, and the towing and scrapping of the Safer. The most immediate danger of a spill will be prevented during the first phase – once the oil is transferred off the Safer.
In September 2022, the Government of Yemen in Aden and Sana’a authorities formally supported the long-term replacement solution proposed by the UN (a VLCC tethered to a CALM buoy system). The parties continue to express that they want the operation on the water to begin as soon as possible. The world is now closer than ever to preventing the catastrophe As of 24 April, donors have generously pledged $99.6 million (including more than $12 million from the private sector and $250,000 through a crowdfunding campaign), of which $77.5 million has been received.
Preparatory work for the operation began in September 2022 after $75 million had been pledged. Since then, UNDP has put in place world-renowned technical expertise to prepare for the implementation of the project, including a marine management consultancy firm, maritime legal firm, insurance and ship brokers and oil spill experts. On 19 April, UNDP finalized contracting the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage to carry out the emergency operation. The next day, its vessel Ndeavor set sail for the Red Sea, carrying the experts that will do the work and loaded with generators, hydraulic pumps and other specialized equipment. The vessel will stop in Djibouti in May where it will link up with the replacement vessel, Nautica, which UNDP secured last month and is en route.
The Ndeavor will sail first to Ras Isa to prepare the Safer for the oil transfer. About three weeks later, the Nautica will arrive to take on the oil, which will take about three weeks and could be completed at the end of June. The Boskalis/SMIT team will then prepare the Safer for towing. However, as the UN was gearing up for the project last year, the costs to purchase and lease VLCCs surged, chiefly due to factors related to the war in Ukraine. Donors remain keenly interested in the operation. Provided the current financial gap is bridged, the work on the water can begin in May 2023. The revised budget for the plan reflects the current market conditions As outlined in the UN’s initial plan in April 2022, the budget for the two-track operation was $144 million. While the adoption of the CALM buoy solution initially lowered the estimated budget, the rising prices of VLCCs and other factors pushed the working budget higher. The current budget is $148 million.
The current budget gap for the emergency phase of the operation is $29.4 million (against the $99.6 million that has effectively been raised).
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are co-hosting a pledging event on 4 May with the aim of filling the funding gap for the first phase of the operation and raising the $19 million needed for the critical second phase. The UN is simultaneously considering internal means to bridge the financial gap. The United Nations thanks donors for the generous support We also thank the private sector, including the HSA Group, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, and Trafigura Foundation, and the generous individuals that have contributed to the UN crowdfunding campaign for the plan. For further information, please contact:
Russell Geekie, Senior Communications Advisor to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, geekie@un.org
+1 347 654 0913
For UN Development Programme: Dylan Lowthian, dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
If the gap of $29.4 million for the emergency phase of the operation is closed quickly, the work can begin in May.
Background Constructed in 1976 as a supertanker and converted a decade later to be a floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) for oil, the Safer is moored about 4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Hodeidah governorate in Yemen. The vessel holds an estimated 1.14 million barrels of light crude oil. Production, offloading and maintenance operations on the Safer were suspended in 2015 because of the war. The Safer’s structural integrity has significantly deteriorated. All assessments indicate that the vessel is beyond repair and at imminent risk of spilling oil. It could break up at any time – or explode because the systems required to pump inert gas into its tanks ceased functioning in 2017. A significant spill would surpass national capacity and resources to effectively respond. The costs of a major oil spill The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion.
A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Half a million people working in the fishing industry there have 1.7 million dependents. Two hundred thousand livelihoods could be instantly wiped out. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins.
A major oil spill could close the nearby ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring in food, fuel and lifesaving supplies into a country where 17 million people are in need of food assistance. The environmental impact of a major spill on water, coral reefs, life-supporting mangroves and other sea life would be severe. Oil could reach the shores of Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
Desalination plants on the Red Sea coast could be closed, cutting off a water source for millions of people. The spill would also produce highly polluted air over a large area.
Vital shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Suez Canal could be disrupted for an extended period, costing billions of dollars per day. Tourism would also suffer.
UN-coordinated plan to resolve the threat In September 2021, United Nations senior management instructed the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, to provide UN system-wide leadership on the FSO Safer and coordinate all efforts to prevent the threat and strengthen contingency plans in the event of a catastrophic oil spill. This followed earlier efforts in the highly politicized environment of the conflict. After discussions with relevant stakeholders, the United Nations produced a plan to prevent a spill by transferring the oil to a safe vessel and installing long-term replacement capacity for the Safer. The draft UN-coordinated plan was strongly supported by United Nations senior management in December 2021.
The UN has engaged closely with the Government of Yemen in Aden, which has regularly reiterated support for the initiative over the past year.
The Sana’a-based authorities, who control the area where the vessel is located, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UN on 5 March 2022, establishing a framework for cooperation in which the Sana’a-based authorities committed to facilitating the success of the project. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing this complex and high-risk project. The operation on the water comprises two phases: An emergency phase, during which a leading global salvage company will inspect the Safer and make it safe for the operation, transfer the oil into a replacement vessel, and ready the FSO Safer to be towed away; and The installation of a catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy to which the replacement VLCC will be connected as safe long-term replacement capacity for the Safer, and the towing and scrapping of the Safer. The most immediate danger of a spill will be prevented during the first phase – once the oil is transferred off the Safer.
In September 2022, the Government of Yemen in Aden and Sana’a authorities formally supported the long-term replacement solution proposed by the UN (a VLCC tethered to a CALM buoy system). The parties continue to express that they want the operation on the water to begin as soon as possible. The world is now closer than ever to preventing the catastrophe As of 24 April, donors have generously pledged $99.6 million (including more than $12 million from the private sector and $250,000 through a crowdfunding campaign), of which $77.5 million has been received.
Preparatory work for the operation began in September 2022 after $75 million had been pledged. Since then, UNDP has put in place world-renowned technical expertise to prepare for the implementation of the project, including a marine management consultancy firm, maritime legal firm, insurance and ship brokers and oil spill experts. On 19 April, UNDP finalized contracting the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage to carry out the emergency operation. The next day, its vessel Ndeavor set sail for the Red Sea, carrying the experts that will do the work and loaded with generators, hydraulic pumps and other specialized equipment. The vessel will stop in Djibouti in May where it will link up with the replacement vessel, Nautica, which UNDP secured last month and is en route.
The Ndeavor will sail first to Ras Isa to prepare the Safer for the oil transfer. About three weeks later, the Nautica will arrive to take on the oil, which will take about three weeks and could be completed at the end of June. The Boskalis/SMIT team will then prepare the Safer for towing. However, as the UN was gearing up for the project last year, the costs to purchase and lease VLCCs surged, chiefly due to factors related to the war in Ukraine. Donors remain keenly interested in the operation. Provided the current financial gap is bridged, the work on the water can begin in May 2023. The revised budget for the plan reflects the current market conditions As outlined in the UN’s initial plan in April 2022, the budget for the two-track operation was $144 million. While the adoption of the CALM buoy solution initially lowered the estimated budget, the rising prices of VLCCs and other factors pushed the working budget higher. The current budget is $148 million.
The current budget gap for the emergency phase of the operation is $29.4 million (against the $99.6 million that has effectively been raised).
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are co-hosting a pledging event on 4 May with the aim of filling the funding gap for the first phase of the operation and raising the $19 million needed for the critical second phase. The UN is simultaneously considering internal means to bridge the financial gap. The United Nations thanks donors for the generous support We also thank the private sector, including the HSA Group, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, and Trafigura Foundation, and the generous individuals that have contributed to the UN crowdfunding campaign for the plan. For further information, please contact:
Russell Geekie, Senior Communications Advisor to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, geekie@un.org
+1 347 654 0913
For UN Development Programme: Dylan Lowthian, dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
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Publication
26 October 2022
UNITED NATIONS YEMEN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK 2022 – 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
UN global reform has elevated the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to be “the most important instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities” in the country. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an integrated way, with a commitment to leave no one behind, uphold human rights, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), and other international standards and obligations. The UNSDCF seeks to address the humanitarian, development and peace challenges in Yemen in an environment where key public institutions are fragmented, no national strategy exists, and where there has been no national budget since 2014. The Yemen UNSDCF outlines the UN’s collective priorities and development objectives to be reached jointly in the next three years 2022-2024 as part of an ongoing and longer- term vision for resilience building and forging of a pathway to peace.
Yemen is a country in conflict. The priorities of this UNSDCF are derived from the analysis of the impacts of this ongoing crisis on the people of Yemen, and the needs and opportunities as outlined in the UN’s Common Country Analysis (CCA) conducted in 2021.
The UN has prioritized four pillars that resonate with the SDG priorities of people, peace, planet and prosperity that aim, as a matter of urgency, to improve people’s lives in Yemen and build resilience that is equitable, inclusive, people-centred, gender responsive and human rights based, through outcomes that: 1. Increase food security, improving livelihood options, and job creation 2. Preserve inclusive, effective and efficient national and local development systems strengthening 3. Drive inclusive economic structural transformation 4. Build social services, social protection, and inclusion for all
The theory of change is driven by an expectation that by 2024 the impact for all people of all ages in Yemen affected by conflict, forced displacement and living in poverty in all its dimensions will experience change in the quality of their lives. This will be possible through increased food security and nutrition, livelihood options and job creation; preserved national and local development and systems strengthening; inclusive economic structural transformation and the building of social services, social protection and inclusion for all. Food security and nutrition, and sustainable and resilient livelihoods and environmental stability will be realized through effective food production and diversified food and nutrition security; and through sustainable climate sensitive environmental management. Rights-based good governance and inclusive gender sensitive improved public services and rule of law will be possible as a result of accountable, inclusive and transparent institutions and systems, as well as the building of trusted justice systems. Increased income security and decent work for women, youth and vulnerable populations will be realised through micro and macro-economic development and job creation. Strengthened social protection and basic social support service delivery focused on support to marginalized groups, and strengthening women and youth leadership in decision making processes will be supported through the preservation of social protection and expanded and effective social assistance and basic services.
The UNSDCF prioritises the population groups in Yemen that have the highest risk of being left behind due to the impact of conflict; economic, social, geographic or political exclusion; and marginalisation. Enacting the central transformative principle of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, whilst challenging in the Yemen context, does provide the lens through which the UNSDCF targets the most vulnerable and prioritise Leaving No One Behind.
On the basis that some groups in Yemen bear the brunt of the conflict due to forced displacement, livelihood disruption, food insecurity, limited social safety nets, increased levels of poverty and poor-
quality housing, the CCA 2021 identifies the following population groups at the greatest risk of being left behind:
- Women and girls - 73 percent of those displaced in Yemen are women and girls, especially women of reproductive age and adolescent girls
- Children – 60 percent of those killed directly by conflict are children under five
- Youth and adolescents – an estimated 2 million school-age girls and boys are out of school as poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunities disrupt their education
- Internally displaced persons – more than 4 million IDPs with 172,000 newly displaced in 2020 and almost 160,000 in 2021
- Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – Yemen hosts approximately 138,000 migrants and 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers
- Persons with disabilities – 4.5 million Yemenis have at least one disability
- Ethnic and religious minorities – It is estimated that Muhamasheen represent 10 percent of the population living in marginalised conditions
The UNSDCF is comprised of four chapters. Chapter One: explores Yemen’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda through a detailed analysis of the country context drawing on the 2021 CCA. Chapter Two: presents the theory of change generally and per outcome area. Chapter Three: outlines the UNSDCF’s implementation plan focused on the management structure, resources, links to country programming instruments and Yemen’s Business Operations Strategy. Chapter Four: highlights the process for CCA updates, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning. The Results Framework presents the outcomes and key performance indicators for monitoring agreed targets utilizing verifiable data sets. Two annexes capture the legal basis for all UN entities engaged in the UNSDCF and the mandatory commitments to Harmonised Approaches to Cash Transfers (HACT)1.
The UNSDCF represents the UN’s understanding that continued engagement in Yemen requires an operational architecture under-pinned by the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and an integrated set of achievable programming priorities. These two strategic approaches of the UN system strengthen and make more inclusive the country’s national and local governance structures, and mainstream the required responses to the economic and health consequences of COVID-19. They tackle food insecurity and nutrition as a matter of priority and integrate the promotion and advancement of gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment.
UN global reform has elevated the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to be “the most important instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities” in the country. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an integrated way, with a commitment to leave no one behind, uphold human rights, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), and other international standards and obligations. The UNSDCF seeks to address the humanitarian, development and peace challenges in Yemen in an environment where key public institutions are fragmented, no national strategy exists, and where there has been no national budget since 2014. The Yemen UNSDCF outlines the UN’s collective priorities and development objectives to be reached jointly in the next three years 2022-2024 as part of an ongoing and longer- term vision for resilience building and forging of a pathway to peace.
Yemen is a country in conflict. The priorities of this UNSDCF are derived from the analysis of the impacts of this ongoing crisis on the people of Yemen, and the needs and opportunities as outlined in the UN’s Common Country Analysis (CCA) conducted in 2021.
The UN has prioritized four pillars that resonate with the SDG priorities of people, peace, planet and prosperity that aim, as a matter of urgency, to improve people’s lives in Yemen and build resilience that is equitable, inclusive, people-centred, gender responsive and human rights based, through outcomes that: 1. Increase food security, improving livelihood options, and job creation 2. Preserve inclusive, effective and efficient national and local development systems strengthening 3. Drive inclusive economic structural transformation 4. Build social services, social protection, and inclusion for all
The theory of change is driven by an expectation that by 2024 the impact for all people of all ages in Yemen affected by conflict, forced displacement and living in poverty in all its dimensions will experience change in the quality of their lives. This will be possible through increased food security and nutrition, livelihood options and job creation; preserved national and local development and systems strengthening; inclusive economic structural transformation and the building of social services, social protection and inclusion for all. Food security and nutrition, and sustainable and resilient livelihoods and environmental stability will be realized through effective food production and diversified food and nutrition security; and through sustainable climate sensitive environmental management. Rights-based good governance and inclusive gender sensitive improved public services and rule of law will be possible as a result of accountable, inclusive and transparent institutions and systems, as well as the building of trusted justice systems. Increased income security and decent work for women, youth and vulnerable populations will be realised through micro and macro-economic development and job creation. Strengthened social protection and basic social support service delivery focused on support to marginalized groups, and strengthening women and youth leadership in decision making processes will be supported through the preservation of social protection and expanded and effective social assistance and basic services.
The UNSDCF prioritises the population groups in Yemen that have the highest risk of being left behind due to the impact of conflict; economic, social, geographic or political exclusion; and marginalisation. Enacting the central transformative principle of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, whilst challenging in the Yemen context, does provide the lens through which the UNSDCF targets the most vulnerable and prioritise Leaving No One Behind.
On the basis that some groups in Yemen bear the brunt of the conflict due to forced displacement, livelihood disruption, food insecurity, limited social safety nets, increased levels of poverty and poor-
quality housing, the CCA 2021 identifies the following population groups at the greatest risk of being left behind:
- Women and girls - 73 percent of those displaced in Yemen are women and girls, especially women of reproductive age and adolescent girls
- Children – 60 percent of those killed directly by conflict are children under five
- Youth and adolescents – an estimated 2 million school-age girls and boys are out of school as poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunities disrupt their education
- Internally displaced persons – more than 4 million IDPs with 172,000 newly displaced in 2020 and almost 160,000 in 2021
- Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – Yemen hosts approximately 138,000 migrants and 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers
- Persons with disabilities – 4.5 million Yemenis have at least one disability
- Ethnic and religious minorities – It is estimated that Muhamasheen represent 10 percent of the population living in marginalised conditions
The UNSDCF is comprised of four chapters. Chapter One: explores Yemen’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda through a detailed analysis of the country context drawing on the 2021 CCA. Chapter Two: presents the theory of change generally and per outcome area. Chapter Three: outlines the UNSDCF’s implementation plan focused on the management structure, resources, links to country programming instruments and Yemen’s Business Operations Strategy. Chapter Four: highlights the process for CCA updates, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning. The Results Framework presents the outcomes and key performance indicators for monitoring agreed targets utilizing verifiable data sets. Two annexes capture the legal basis for all UN entities engaged in the UNSDCF and the mandatory commitments to Harmonised Approaches to Cash Transfers (HACT)1.
The UNSDCF represents the UN’s understanding that continued engagement in Yemen requires an operational architecture under-pinned by the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and an integrated set of achievable programming priorities. These two strategic approaches of the UN system strengthen and make more inclusive the country’s national and local governance structures, and mainstream the required responses to the economic and health consequences of COVID-19. They tackle food insecurity and nutrition as a matter of priority and integrate the promotion and advancement of gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment.
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Story
28 May 2023
UNFPA Yemen: Devastating still preventable: Obstetric fistula
Hundreds of thousands of women and young girls in poor and developing countries are living with chronic health problems, suffering from stigma, shame, humiliation, isolation and discrimination, and often abandoned by their spouses and families and ostracized by their communities. The reason for this immense suffering is that these women or young girls are living with the tragedy of obstetric fistula; a hole between the birth canal and bladder and/or rectum, that is caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. Fistula leaves women and girls leaking urine, faeces or both, and often leads to depression, social isolation and deepening poverty.
Each year, 50,000 - 100,000 women and girls in low and middle income countries, including in the Arab states region develop fistula, and it is estimated that two million women and girls are in need of fistula repairs. Yet fistula is almost entirely preventable. Its persistence is a sign of global inequality and an indication that health and social systems are failing to protect the health and human rights of the poorest and most vulnerable women and girls.
Women and girls living with obstetric fistula may be blamed by their community members for their condition, viewing it as punishment for sin or a venereal disease or curse. “After I gave birth to my baby, I started to suffer from urine leakage, and I couldn’t afford buying diapers. So I decided to lock myself at home for days and not to meet anyone. And when I decided to go out, I was bullied by some people describing me as an animal because I was urinating on myself.” Laila*, a 34 years old poor woman from Taiz, Yemen.
Injured bodies and damaged lives
Left untreated, obstetric fistula causes immense pain, infections, ulcerations, chronic incontinence and can lead to a range of other physical ailments, including frequent infections, kidney disease, painful sores and infertility.
Fistula does not only cause physical injuries but its psychological consequences are devastating. It can destroy relationships and end marriages. It is a common event that fistula-affected women face divorce as they fail to satisfy their husband’s sexual needs and/or fail to bear children in addition to the smell of urine that is intolerable to a lot of husbands. They suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues. Denied livelihood opportunities, they are driven deeper into poverty and vulnerability.
“A month after my baby was born, I was diagnosed with obstetric fistula. My husband decided to divorce me. He described me as a ‘ruined’ person” said Marwa*, a child bride from Al Hudaydah, Yemen.
Child brides face a double burden of tragedy
While obstetric fistula does not discriminate by age, child brides face a double burden of tragedy. They are particularly vulnerable because of their physical weakness, small size and bodies that may not be ready for childbirth. Delivery is therefore often prolonged.
“I was 15 at the time. I spent almost 8 hours in the operating room. I can’t remember anything except that I was crying my heart out. And after all this suffering the baby came out dead.” said Seham* from Yemen who has experienced two stillbirths and a recurrent obstetric fistula resulting from her difficult deliveries.
Curable and preventable
Women with obstetric fistulas have suffered great trauma, but this does not need to be the end of their story. They deserve to be given a second chance, they deserve to be given back their lives and dignity. Up to 95 per cent of fistulas can be treated and closed with surgery.
But before ever reaching the treatment stage, focus should be on prevention. To address the high incidence of obstetric fistula and maternal death, health officials and policymakers must work on ensuring skilled birth care at all births and providing timely and high quality emergency obstetric care for all women and girls who develop complications during delivery.
UNFPA leads the global Campaign to End Fistula – representing nearly 100 partner agencies at the global level and hundreds of others at the national and community levels.
In Yemen, UNFPA continues to support the solutions that prevent obstetric fistulas, from improving access to high-quality emergency obstetric and newborn care, training health professionals with midwifery skills at childbirth and providing family planning services.
UNFPA has also supported the establishment of two fistula treatment centres at Al Sadaqa Hospital in Aden and Al Thawra Hospital in Sana'a. These centres provide free surgical treatment and care to over 100 fistula patients each year. The operations of the fistula centres is made possible with the generous support of KSrelief.
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11 May 2023
IOM Yemen: "NOW MY YOUNG DAUGHTER CAN SAFELY COLLECT WATER ON HER OWN"
Every day, as the sun rises early in the morning, displaced people on Yemen’s west coast, often women and young children, begin a grueling journey. They leave their shelters to walk long distances under the sun in search of a vital life source: clean and safe drinking water.
In many areas, especially in the displacement sites in the south of Ta’iz city, access to safe water is an extreme challenge. Displaced people often lack resources to dig wells while the farms where they can source water are located far from where they have settled.
Climate change continues to contribute to increasingly harsh droughts – a phenomenon exacerbating the shortage of water and the suffering of families forced to flee their homes.
“Before the conflict, we had enough water in our homes, but once we were forced to flee we started to suffer from water shortages,” said Shaker Mustafa, Al Sowa water project supervisor in Al Ma'afer district and member of the nearby host community.
“Most people in this area can only collect water once per month,” he added.
“It was not easy for us to bring water. I used to walk with my little girl Sumaia twice a day for more than a half hour to the nearest water well,” said Mariam*, a displaced mother in Al Ma'afir district.
Displaced people often carry their water containers on their heads or tie them with rope on donkeys, their main form of transportation.
In Yemen, where water infrastructure is often damaged or ineffective, more than 15.3 million people need assistance to access water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.
To relieve some of these struggles and improve water access for host and displaced communities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), have upgraded, rehabilitated or established three water sites in South Ta'iz.
These three water projects are run by a sustainable, solar-powered water pumping system that benefits more than 40,000 people across three locations in two districts where host communities have welcomed thousands of displaced families.
“Now many people's troubles are over. They feel reassured because there is safe and stable water in their area,” said Mohammed, the water project supervisor in Al Ma'afer district.
“I am happy because we have a close and clean source of water. Now my young daughter can safely collect water on her own at any time,” added Mariam.
These water supply projects supported by KSrelief have made a huge impact to alleviate the burden that host communities and displaced people were experiencing in South Ta'iz.
*Name has been changed to protect identities.
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Story
11 May 2023
IOM Yemen: Father Rescues 12-Year-Old Son From Traffickers in Yemen
When a smuggler promised 12-year-old Kalifa Rashid a well-paying job as a camel herder abroad, he left his hometown in Jimma in the Oromia Region of Southwestern Ethiopia to traverse a path frequented by migrants traveling to Gulf countries.
“I had noticed over time that some of my classmates were disappearing from school. When I asked where they went, I was told they had left for the Gulf States to find work,” he recalls, recounting how he left home.
“One day, a stranger appeared outside the school gates and began mingling and conversing with us. He told us there were plenty of jobs in Saudi Arabia, and we did not have to pay anything upfront.”
Dreaming of making money, one day Kalifa went straight from school to a meeting spot where an unknown smuggler arranged for a guide to take him to another smuggler. He boarded a bus and after a short ride with other people, resumed his journey on foot.
Despite promises of a short journey that would only take a few days, Kalifa soon discovered that this was not true. He had to trek a long distance on foot across harsh desert in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, before crossing the border into Djibouti where he stayed for weeks languishing in the heat waiting for a boat to take him to Yemen.
“It was a grueling journey with little food and a lot of thirst. It took me a month to get to Yemen, and I still had a long road ahead of me. I was lucky to get a few vehicle rides, but I had to walk with others most of the way,” he says, explaining how he travelled with fellow migrants he met along the way.
Kalifa passed through the hands of many smugglers whom he promised to pay once he found a job. Many migrants who embark on the Eastern Migration Route to the Gulf States do not make it, and Kalifa is grateful he was not kidnapped or held for ransom by traffickers who lurk on this route.
Rashid, Kalifa’s father, was working in the coffee fields when the news of his son’s disappearance reached him. The 40-year-old father of ten survives by growing coffee seedlings and selling them to farmers in Toba town, some 150 km from Jimma city.
“The seedlings I was preparing were almost ready and only a few weeks from being sold. But when I heard that my son had gone away on this perilous route, I had no choice but to abandon everything and go after him.”
Rashid, himself a returning migrant who made the same risky journey 15 years ago, understood what his son would be going through.
“I had to get to him before this mistake cost him his life,” he explains.
He was forced to choose between rescuing his son and risking the entire family's livelihood.
“That was a difficult choice, but I could not save a tree while my son was in danger. I had to go after him and save him from imminent death,” he says.
Rashid had to give up one of his two oxen to make the voyage to Yemen.
“I sold it for 35,000 birr (USD 650) and used the proceeds to pursue my son. I hitched a ride on trucks for most of my journey to catch up to him. I thought the money would be enough. But I ran out of cash and needed to have an additional 10,000 birr (USD 230) sent to me to take trucks in Yemen to reach him.”
He says he saw the bodies of migrants and others suffering from gunshot wounds on his journey in Yemen. After weeks on the road, Rashid finally found his son on the way to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The road Kalifa was found on is plagued by traffickers who kidnap, imprison and torture migrants for hefty ransoms.
“As my chances of catching up to Kalifa were dwindling with each passing day, I was overjoyed when I finally found him. He was parched, and hungry. I couldn't believe it when I saw him,” Rashid says.
Despite happily reuniting, they were unable to immediately return home as they could not find safe transportation and had run out of money. “I was once again faced with the difficult decision of finding a menial job to pay for our trip back home and to make up for what I had lost, or seeking whatever means available to make it back.”
Rashid says he remembered the journey he took to KSA 15 years ago, when he worked there for a few months. He saved just enough to help him replace the grass roof on his house with new corrugated metal sheets.
“But I did not want to take that path again since I heard the route between the Yemen and KSA had become more violent.”
At that point they came upon the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which aids migrants stranded in Yemen to return home. They were some of the hundreds of returnees who made it back to Ethiopia on a Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) flight last month. In the past year, IOM has assisted approximately 5,700 Ethiopian migrants to return home from Yemen on VHR flights.
“I am relieved that I returned home with my son alive,” says Rashid, speaking from IOM’s Transit Centre in Addis Ababa. “Now we must return home, and I must begin again, while he must return to school. After seeing the suffering, I hope he has learned his lesson and will concentrate on his studies. If he refuses to attend school, he could assist me in the field. It is his decision.”
Kalifa says after experiencing such adversity, he will not attempt this route again and will tell his peers at school about the hazards connected with such a decision.
IOM is able to provide return support from Yemen through the generous funding received from the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) – the humanitarian bureau of the State Department – and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
For more information, please contact Alemayehu Seifeselassie, salemayehu@iom.int.
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11 May 2023
IOM Yemen: Shortfall in Funding Could Leave Over Half a Million People in Yemen Without Health Services
A shortfall in funding for the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s health programming could threaten the availability of health care for more than 500,000 displaced people, migrants and host community members in Ma’rib, the west coast and north of Yemen.
On World Health Day, IOM is sounding the alarm that if the Organization does not urgently secure USD 5 million, communities already struggling to overcome the effects of eight years of crisis could lose their only source of health care by the start of July.
Less than half of Yemen’s health facilities are functional – many face staff shortages, inadequate supplies and equipment, and an inability to meet operational costs.
“IOM’s health teams across the country work tirelessly to serve communities who otherwise would not be able to access primary healthcare services when they fall ill or receive preventive care to keep their families healthy,” said Matthew Huber, Acting Chief of Mission of IOM Yemen.
Across the country, IOM supports emergency departments, operation rooms, reproductive health and neonatal intensive care units in dozens of facilities that serve migrants, displaced people and host community members.
This support is critical to preventing the spread of endemic, water-borne and vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, as well as acute diarrheal diseases and malnutrition, especially in displacement sites.
Last year, over 2.8 million people received services from the Organization’s health programming. These services will significantly scale down in coming months if funds are not secured now.
“We are encouraging donors to scale up their support so that hundreds of thousands of people do not lose their only access to adequate health services,” Huber added.
Those most severely affected could be half a million people in conflict affected Ma’rib and tens of thousands of people living in or near displacement sites on the country’s west coast. Among the hardest hit would be pregnant women, children and people living with disability.
IOM-supported health centres in the north of Yemen are also under threat. These facilities offer the only healthcare available to stranded migrants who suffer from grave abuses and violence on their journeys.
IOM Yemen’s 2023 appeal requires USD 22 million for its primary and secondary health care interventions by the end of the year.
***
For more information, please contact: Angela Wells at IOM Yemen, Email: awells@iom.int, Tel: +967 730 552233 and IOM Yemen’s Communications Team at iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int
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10 May 2023
Deliver Essential Hygiene Kits to Internally Displaced People in Yemen
Yemen has been facing one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises for the past eight years. The country is experiencing devastating conflict and economic crisis, which have left millions of people in need of humanitarian aid.
With nearly 15.3 million people in Yemen requiring access to clean water & sanitation system, the situation is particularly dire for displaced people, who often lack access to clean water and basic hygiene facilities. In addition, the ongoing conflict and natural disasters have led to widespread water and sanitation infrastructure damage, exacerbating the problem. Lack of access to safe water and sanitation has led to the spread of diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhea, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
First-Line Response Packages
To alleviate the suffering of people, UNICEF has been working with the support of the Government of Japan to provide essential support to displaced people across Yemen.
One of the key initiatives implemented by UNICEF is the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) kits, which include essential supplies such as basic hygiene kits, and female dignity kits. The RRM kits are designed to address the immediate and critical needs of displaced families who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict or natural disasters.
Several waves of displacement occurred in Taizz governorate in 2022, with IDP camps being affected by both active conflict and flooding. First-line RRM response reached over 3,300 households (23,100 people) in Taizz alone, while RRM partners registered and supported over 400,000 newly displaced people throughout 21 governorates.
The hygiene kits distributed by UNICEF include essential items such as detergent soap, soap bars, towels, nail clippers, and baby basins.
Raydan Abdullah, an RRM Officer, highlights the challenges of providing aid in the current context. "One of the biggest challenges is the huge demand here in Taizz due to increased numbers of displaced people from the conflict." says Raydan.
Similarly, Saddam Ahmed, who is an RRM Officer, emphasizes the logistical difficulties in transferring aid from one region to another due to the conflict and how they conduct the awareness sessions.
“Due to the governorate's stretched area and the long distances between regions, it is challenging to distribute the kits on time." Regarding awareness activities, we work with volunteers from the targeted areas and conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns."
Impact on Displaced Yemenis
The support provided by the government of Japan and UNICEF has significantly assisted displaced people in Yemen.
"The hygiene kit contained items that helped me and my family maintain our basic hygiene routine," Mahfoud Hazza'a, a displaced teacher from Al Hudaydah, said of receiving the hygiene kit.
For Mervat Abdo, a displaced woman from Sana'a, the kit is crucial for maintaining hygiene in their current situation. “The conflict has negatively affected us in every way, mentally, physically, socially, and financially," she says. "We need all the help we can get to overcome this difficult situation."
The awareness sessions have been instrumental in ensuring that families understand how to use the hygiene kits effectively. These sessions provide education on the importance of handwashing, personal hygiene, and safe water storage and usage.
Continuous Support
The Government of Japan has been a long-term partner of UNICEF in Yemen, supporting various programs to help children and families affected by the ongoing conflict. This support has helped UNICEF provide vital assistance to the most vulnerable children and families, including those displaced from their homes.
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Press Release
20 April 2023
Statement: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator on the tragic stampede in Sana’a
I am deeply saddened that scores of people lost their lives in a stampede outside the Old City of Sana’a yesterday.
Initial reports indicate that 78 people died in the incident and as many were injured.
This tragedy is particularly painful coming at the time of Eid al-Fatr, which is normally a joyous time for families to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of the victims and wish all those who were injured a speedy recovery.
The UN has been in contact with the Sana’a authorities to offer support.
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Press Release
20 April 2023
United Nations Takes Next Major Step to Prevent Catastrophic Oil Spill in Red Sea
The UN Development Programme has contracted the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage to transfer 1 million barrels of oil off a decaying tanker. The team’s vessel Ndeavor sets sail to the Red Sea today. Funding is urgently required.
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 20 April 2023 – In the latest critical step towards preventing a massive oil spill off Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the global leading maritime services company Boskalis’s support vessel Ndeavor will sail enroute to the Red Sea in the coming hours.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) finalized the contract for the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage to transfer the million barrels of oil aboard the FSO Safer to a safe replacement vessel and prepare the Safer for towing to a green scrapping yard.
The work off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula is expected to begin in May. UNDP earlier secured the replacement vessel, Nautica, which will take on the oil from the Safer. “The agreement today between UNDP and Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage, to deploy a team of leading experts aboard the Ndeavour marks another critical milestone of the ‘Stop Red Sea Spill‘ operation to transfer oil from the decaying FSO Safer to a safe temporary vessel,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “We look forward to be working with Boskalis and other leading experts to prevent a humanitarian, environmental and economic disaster. We also appeal to leaders from governments and corporations to step forward and help us raise the remaining $29 million required to complete this complex rescue operation." “This operation highlights the unique role the UN can play to address the world’s seemingly intractable problems. UNDP and other partners inside and outside the UN should be proud of their roles in getting us this far,” said David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since 2021. “However, we urgently need to close the $29 million funding gap for the emergency operation and raise the additional funds needed to ensure safe long-term storage of the oil.” The multipurpose support vessel Ndeavor, which will sail with its crew and experts, is loaded with generators, hydraulic pumps and other specialized equipment to carry out the operation on the Safer, which no longer has functioning systems. “Following a long planning period, our salvage experts are keen to get to work and remove the oil from the Safer,” said Peter Berdowski, CEO Boskalis, who has signed the contract through its subsidiary SMIT Salvage with the UN Development Programme. “I would like to express my gratitude to the many UN member nations in their support for this operation including the Netherlands. The Boskalis vessel Ndeavor is ready for departure, and I wish the crew all the success in this important mission.” On Monday, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands announced they will co-host a pledging event on 4 May with the aim of fully funding both phases of the Safer project. ‘‘An enormous oil disaster is looming, which could have serious humanitarian, environmental and economic
implications. But we now have a chance to prevent that disaster.” said the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher. “The Netherlands has worked hard to mobilise funds for the operation and now a major new step has been taken. It’s good that Dutch firm Boskalis is taking on a key role in the response. The Netherlands will continue helping the UN to bring this to a good end.’’ The United Nations has received firm funding commitments of $99.6 million. The total budget for this first phase is $129 million, leaving a gap of $29.4 million. An estimated $19 million is required for the second phase of the operation. To fill the budget gap, the UN is appealing to Member States and private entities, as well as the global public through a crowdfunding appeal to which thousands of individuals have already contributed.
To learn more: www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill Background
The Safer has been moored about nine kilometers off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula since 1988 and could explode or break up at any time. Due to the conflict in Yemen, the FSO Safer has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region and beyond. A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions. It could close of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. The closure of desalination plants would cut off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover. The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021.The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, has led UN system-wide efforts since September 2021. UNDP is implementing this complex and high-risk project. For more information
For the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen: geekie@un.org, +1 347 654 0913
For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 20 April 2023 – In the latest critical step towards preventing a massive oil spill off Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the global leading maritime services company Boskalis’s support vessel Ndeavor will sail enroute to the Red Sea in the coming hours.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) finalized the contract for the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage to transfer the million barrels of oil aboard the FSO Safer to a safe replacement vessel and prepare the Safer for towing to a green scrapping yard.
The work off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula is expected to begin in May. UNDP earlier secured the replacement vessel, Nautica, which will take on the oil from the Safer. “The agreement today between UNDP and Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage, to deploy a team of leading experts aboard the Ndeavour marks another critical milestone of the ‘Stop Red Sea Spill‘ operation to transfer oil from the decaying FSO Safer to a safe temporary vessel,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “We look forward to be working with Boskalis and other leading experts to prevent a humanitarian, environmental and economic disaster. We also appeal to leaders from governments and corporations to step forward and help us raise the remaining $29 million required to complete this complex rescue operation." “This operation highlights the unique role the UN can play to address the world’s seemingly intractable problems. UNDP and other partners inside and outside the UN should be proud of their roles in getting us this far,” said David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since 2021. “However, we urgently need to close the $29 million funding gap for the emergency operation and raise the additional funds needed to ensure safe long-term storage of the oil.” The multipurpose support vessel Ndeavor, which will sail with its crew and experts, is loaded with generators, hydraulic pumps and other specialized equipment to carry out the operation on the Safer, which no longer has functioning systems. “Following a long planning period, our salvage experts are keen to get to work and remove the oil from the Safer,” said Peter Berdowski, CEO Boskalis, who has signed the contract through its subsidiary SMIT Salvage with the UN Development Programme. “I would like to express my gratitude to the many UN member nations in their support for this operation including the Netherlands. The Boskalis vessel Ndeavor is ready for departure, and I wish the crew all the success in this important mission.” On Monday, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands announced they will co-host a pledging event on 4 May with the aim of fully funding both phases of the Safer project. ‘‘An enormous oil disaster is looming, which could have serious humanitarian, environmental and economic
implications. But we now have a chance to prevent that disaster.” said the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher. “The Netherlands has worked hard to mobilise funds for the operation and now a major new step has been taken. It’s good that Dutch firm Boskalis is taking on a key role in the response. The Netherlands will continue helping the UN to bring this to a good end.’’ The United Nations has received firm funding commitments of $99.6 million. The total budget for this first phase is $129 million, leaving a gap of $29.4 million. An estimated $19 million is required for the second phase of the operation. To fill the budget gap, the UN is appealing to Member States and private entities, as well as the global public through a crowdfunding appeal to which thousands of individuals have already contributed.
To learn more: www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill Background
The Safer has been moored about nine kilometers off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula since 1988 and could explode or break up at any time. Due to the conflict in Yemen, the FSO Safer has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region and beyond. A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions. It could close of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. The closure of desalination plants would cut off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover. The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021.The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, has led UN system-wide efforts since September 2021. UNDP is implementing this complex and high-risk project. For more information
For the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen: geekie@un.org, +1 347 654 0913
For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
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Press Release
09 April 2023
Call for Applications for the Dag Hammarskjöld Fund Journalism Fellowship 2023
The fellowships are open to journalists who are native to the mainly developing countries in Africa, Asia (including Pacific Island nations), and Latin America/the Caribbean and are currently working for media organizations. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in and commitment to international affairs and to conveying a better understanding of the U.N. to their readers and audiences. They must also have approval from their media organizations to spend up to three months in New York to report from the U.N. The program is not intended to provide basic skills training to journalists; all fellowship recipients must be media professionals.
Journalists are selected each year after a review of all applications and given the incomparable opportunity to observe international diplomatic deliberations and to gain a broader perspective and understanding of matters of global concern. Many past fellows have risen to prominence in their professional and countries.
Fellowship eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, as well as the fellowship application, form can be found on the Fund’s web site at www.unjournalismfellowship.org
Questions about the program, eligibility and the application process can be directed by email to fellowship2023@unjournalismfellowship.org.
Although the Fund is based at the U.N., it does not receive financial support from the world organization. The Fund was established as an independent entity by U.N. journalists 56 years ago as a living memorial to the legacy of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjóld. It continues to be operated by U.N. journalists and relies on financial support from U.N. Missions, foundations, organizations and individuals.
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Press Release
06 April 2023
UN Press Release- Tanker Sets Sail on United Nations Mission to Prevent Catastrophic Oil Spill in Red Sea
New York, 6 April 2023
A very large crude carrier or VLCC set sail from Zhoushan, China today as part of a United Nations coordinated operation to remove more than a million barrels of oil from the decaying FSO Safer supertanker off Yemen’s Red Sea coast that threatens a humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe.
Secured last month by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Nautica was in drydock in Zhoushan, China for regular maintenance and modifications. The vessel is expected to arrive in early May. The Safer has been moored about nine kilometers off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula since 1988 and could explode or break up at any time.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP), which is implementing the operation as part of a UN-coordinated initiative, is contracting the global leading marine salvage company SMIT to ready the Safer and safely carry out the ship-to-ship transfer of the oil.
“The departure of the Nautica, and its onward journey to the Red Sea, is a significant next step in the complex operation to take on the oil from the Safer. This moment marks the culmination of many months of preparation and coordination. It has involved many partners among them our UN sister agencies, a global community of funders – from government and foundations to school classes – as well as international experts to ensure we succeed and prevent a humanitarian, environmental and economic disaster,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “We are in a race against time and I urge leaders in government, CEOs of corporations and any individual in a position to contribute to step forward and support us in keeping this operation, that is fast
reaching a critical stage, on track,” he added. While the project has received significant international support, the spiraling cost for VLCCs, in a market affected by the war in Ukraine, and other factors, means more funding is needed to complete the emergency phase of the plan. As of 4 April, the UN had received firm commitments for $95 million. The total budget for this first phase is $129 million, leaving a gap of $34 million. “The sailing of the vessel that will take on the Safer’s oil brings us closer to preventing a catastrophe,” said David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led on UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since September 2021. “The UN family, including UNDP, UNEP, IMO, OCHA, WFP, member states, private companies and the public have all played a part in the UN-coordinated plan. We have the best available technical expertise and political support from all sides. Donors have been generous. We just need the final piece of funding this month to ensure success.” To fill the budget gap, the UN is appealing to Member States and private entities, and the global public through a crowdfunding appeal to which thousands of individuals have already contributed. To learn more, visit www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill
Background Due to the conflict in Yemen, the FSO Safer has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region and beyond. A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions. It could close of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. The closure of desalination plants would cut off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover. The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, has led UN system-wide efforts to on the FSO Safer since September 2021. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing this complex and high-risk project. For more information
For the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen: geekie@un.org +1 347 654 0913 For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
reaching a critical stage, on track,” he added. While the project has received significant international support, the spiraling cost for VLCCs, in a market affected by the war in Ukraine, and other factors, means more funding is needed to complete the emergency phase of the plan. As of 4 April, the UN had received firm commitments for $95 million. The total budget for this first phase is $129 million, leaving a gap of $34 million. “The sailing of the vessel that will take on the Safer’s oil brings us closer to preventing a catastrophe,” said David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led on UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since September 2021. “The UN family, including UNDP, UNEP, IMO, OCHA, WFP, member states, private companies and the public have all played a part in the UN-coordinated plan. We have the best available technical expertise and political support from all sides. Donors have been generous. We just need the final piece of funding this month to ensure success.” To fill the budget gap, the UN is appealing to Member States and private entities, and the global public through a crowdfunding appeal to which thousands of individuals have already contributed. To learn more, visit www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill
Background Due to the conflict in Yemen, the FSO Safer has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region and beyond. A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions. It could close of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. The closure of desalination plants would cut off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover. The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, has led UN system-wide efforts to on the FSO Safer since September 2021. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing this complex and high-risk project. For more information
For the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen: geekie@un.org +1 347 654 0913 For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
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Press Release
09 March 2023
UN Press Release - Major Step Forward on FSO Safer
Purchase of vessel is a critical development in operation to remove more than a million barrels of oil from
decaying supertanker off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Funding still urgently needed to complete safe removal of oil New York, 9 March 2023 – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement with Euronav today to secure the purchase of a Very Large Crude Carrier – or ‘VLCC’ – as part of the UN-coordinated operation to remove more than a million barrels of oil from a decaying tanker off Yemen’s Red Sea coast that threatens a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
The replacement vessel is now in drydock for modifications and regular maintenance before sailing to the FSO Safer, moored about nine kilometers off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula. It is expected to arrive in early May for the operation.
The FSO Safer has not been maintained since 2015 because of the conflict in Yemen. It has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region.
A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions.
It would also result in the closure of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. Desalination plants would close, cutting off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover.
The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP), which is implementing the high-risk operation as part of the UN-coordinated initiative, is contracting marine salvage company SMIT to safely remove the oil and prepare the Safer for towing to a green scrapping yard.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said, “The purchase of this suitable vessel by UNDP marks the beginning of the operational phase of the UN-coordinated plan to safely remove the oil from the Safer and avoid the risk of an environmental and humanitarian disaster on a massive scale. We must accept that this is a very challenging and complex operation. UNDP is working around the clock with experts from UN sister agencies including IMO, WFP and UNEP among others as well as international consultancies on maritime law, insurance and environmental impact to ensure that we are deploying the best possible expertise to successfully complete this operation.”
While the project to remove the oil has received significant international support, spiraling costs mostly related to the war in Ukraine that triggered a significant price increase in the market for suitable vessels to undertake the operation mean more money is still needed to complete the emergency phase of the plan. As of 7 March, the UN has raised $95 million, of which $75 million has been received. The total budget for the emergency phase of the project is $129 million.
From Sana’a, David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led on UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since September 2021, said, “UNDP’s purchase of the vessel is indeed a major step, made possible by the generosity of donors, the private sector and global citizens. The parties to the conflict continue to endorse the plan. Now we are into the operational phase and hopeful the oil will be removed from the Safer within the next three to four months. But we still urgently need funding to implement the plan and prevent disaster.”
To fill the budget gap, the UN is re-launching a crowdfunding appeal which saw thousands of individuals around the world contribute to the FSO Safer project in 2021. To learn more, visit www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill. For more information
For the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Yemen: geekie@un.org, +1 347 654 0913
For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
decaying supertanker off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Funding still urgently needed to complete safe removal of oil New York, 9 March 2023 – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement with Euronav today to secure the purchase of a Very Large Crude Carrier – or ‘VLCC’ – as part of the UN-coordinated operation to remove more than a million barrels of oil from a decaying tanker off Yemen’s Red Sea coast that threatens a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
The replacement vessel is now in drydock for modifications and regular maintenance before sailing to the FSO Safer, moored about nine kilometers off Yemen’s Ras Isa peninsula. It is expected to arrive in early May for the operation.
The FSO Safer has not been maintained since 2015 because of the conflict in Yemen. It has decayed to the point where there is an imminent risk it could explode or break apart, which would have disastrous effects on the region.
A major spill would devastate fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, likely wiping out 200,000 livelihoods instantly. Whole communities would be exposed to life-threatening toxins. Highly polluted air would affect millions.
It would also result in the closure of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef – which are essential to bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into Yemen, where 17 million people need food assistance. Desalination plants would close, cutting off a water source for millions of people. Oil from the Safer could reach the African coast and affect any country on the Red Sea. The environmental impact on coral reefs life-supporting mangroves and other marine life would be severe. Fish stocks would take 25 years to recover.
The cost of cleanup alone is estimated at $20 billion. Disruptions to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Suez Canal could cost billions more in global trade losses every day, as happened after the Ever Given grounded in the Canal in 2021.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP), which is implementing the high-risk operation as part of the UN-coordinated initiative, is contracting marine salvage company SMIT to safely remove the oil and prepare the Safer for towing to a green scrapping yard.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said, “The purchase of this suitable vessel by UNDP marks the beginning of the operational phase of the UN-coordinated plan to safely remove the oil from the Safer and avoid the risk of an environmental and humanitarian disaster on a massive scale. We must accept that this is a very challenging and complex operation. UNDP is working around the clock with experts from UN sister agencies including IMO, WFP and UNEP among others as well as international consultancies on maritime law, insurance and environmental impact to ensure that we are deploying the best possible expertise to successfully complete this operation.”
While the project to remove the oil has received significant international support, spiraling costs mostly related to the war in Ukraine that triggered a significant price increase in the market for suitable vessels to undertake the operation mean more money is still needed to complete the emergency phase of the plan. As of 7 March, the UN has raised $95 million, of which $75 million has been received. The total budget for the emergency phase of the project is $129 million.
From Sana’a, David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, who has led on UN system-wide efforts on the Safer since September 2021, said, “UNDP’s purchase of the vessel is indeed a major step, made possible by the generosity of donors, the private sector and global citizens. The parties to the conflict continue to endorse the plan. Now we are into the operational phase and hopeful the oil will be removed from the Safer within the next three to four months. But we still urgently need funding to implement the plan and prevent disaster.”
To fill the budget gap, the UN is re-launching a crowdfunding appeal which saw thousands of individuals around the world contribute to the FSO Safer project in 2021. To learn more, visit www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill. For more information
For the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Yemen: geekie@un.org, +1 347 654 0913
For the UN Development Programme: dylan.lowthian@undp.org +1 646 673 6350
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