United Nations 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:

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Publication

28 April 2025

UN Yemen Country Results Report 2024

This report highlights the resilience of the Yemeni people and the collaborative impact of the United Nations Country Team and its partners in 2024. Despite immense challenges, significant strides were made in delivering essential development support, strengthening local capacities, and fostering pathways towards stability.Understand how the UN addressed critical needs in food security, healthcare, education, and livelihoods, while strengthening governance and promoting inclusive solutions. Discover the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and the unwavering commitment to sustainable development goals in the Yemeni context.Download the full report to learn more about the UN's activities, achievements, and ongoing dedication to supporting Yemen's journey towards a peaceful and prosperous future., filtered_html

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Press Release

05 September 2024

IOM Yemen: IOM Appeals for USD 13.3 Million to Help Hundreds of Thousands Affected by Yemen Floods

Yemen, 5 September – In response to the severe flooding and violent windstorms affecting nearly 562,000 people in Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a USD 13.3 million appeal to deliver urgent life-saving assistance. The unprecedented weather events have compounded the humanitarian crisis in the country, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons and host communities in dire need of assistance. “Yemen is facing yet another devastating chapter in its relentless crisis, exacerbated by the intersection of conflict and extreme weather events,” said Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission. “IOM teams are on the ground, working around the clock to deliver immediate relief to families affected by this catastrophe. However, the scale of the destruction is staggering, and we urgently need additional funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. We must act immediately to prevent further loss and alleviate the suffering of those impacted.” In recent months, torrential rains and flooding have destroyed homes, displaced thousands of families, and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including health centres, schools, and roads. Across multiple governorates, including Ibb, Sana’a, Ma’rib, Al Hodeidah, and Ta’iz, thousands of people have been left without shelter, clean water, or access to basic services, and scores of lives have been tragically lost. The storms have struck as the country grapples with a cholera outbreak and escalating food insecurity, further exacerbating the vulnerability of displaced families and strained health systems. As the harsh weather conditions are expected to continue, more households are at risk of displacement and exposure to disease outbreaks due to damaged water and health infrastructure. Ma’rib Governorate has been particularly hard-hit, with strong winds since 11 August severely damaging 73 displacement sites and affecting over 21,000 households. Public services, including electricity networks, have been severely affected, aggravating the crisis in one of Yemen’s most vulnerable regions. Urgent shelter repairs and cash assistance are needed, with healthcare services and sanitation infrastructure among the most immediate priorities. Since early August, floodwaters have damaged shelters, roads, water sources, and medical facilities, leaving over 15,000 families in Al Hodeidah and 11,000 in Ta’iz in desperate need of emergency support. These rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings and means of survival. In response to this crisis, IOM is targeting 350,000 people with shelter, non-food items (NFI), cash-based interventions, health, camp coordination and camp management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. Distribution of water tanks, latrine repairs, and desludging efforts are ongoing in multiple sites, while health services are being expanded, with mobile teams currently treating over 100 individuals and referring critical cases to hospitals. IOM’s efforts are further supported by emergency response committees working tirelessly to register and verify affected households, relocate displaced families, and reduce the risks of further damage. However, the resources available are insufficient to cover the vast needs, with key gaps remaining, especially in the shelter and NFI sector. With no contingency stocks for essential relief items and the situation growing more critical by the day, immediate funding is necessary to address the most pressing needs on the ground. IOM stands ready to scale up its response but requires the necessary resources to do so. With further severe weather expected in the coming weeks and funding constraints, the Organization is urgently calling on the international community to support this appeal to continue providing lifesaving aid and address the overwhelming needs of those affected. To read the full appeal, please visit this page. For more information, please contact:  In Yemen: Monica Chiriac, mchiriac@iom.int  In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int  In Geneva: Mohammedali Abunajela, mmabunajela@iom.int  , filtered_html

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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. , filtered_html

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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. , filtered_html

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Press Release

15 August 2024

UNFPA/UNICEF Yemen: Life-saving aid critical as torrential rain sparks deadly floods across Yemen

Sana’a, 15 August 2024As relentless rain and catastrophic flooding in Yemen continue to exacerbate the suffering of families grappling with the impacts of poverty, hunger and protracted conflict, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, are delivering life-saving aid to some of the most vulnerable individuals through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). With torrential rains forecast to continue into September, US$4.9 million is urgently needed to scale up the emergency response. Exceptionally heavy seasonal rains have caused flash floods in Yemen which are wreaking havoc in different parts of the country – the governorates of Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, Sa’ada, and Taizz are among the hardest-hit. Homes, shelters, and belongings have been swept away. Since early August, more than 180,000 people have been affected – over 50,000 people have been displaced in Al Hodeidah alone – a figure that is likely to rise in the coming days. Within 72 hours of the floods, over 80,000 people in flood-affected governorates had received emergency relief through the RRM, including ready to eat food rations, hygiene items, and women’s sanitary products. These items offer some immediate relief from the hardships caused by these catastrophic events. “The devastating floods have increased people’s needs, which are tremendous,” said Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA Representative to Yemen. “Our RRM teams are working round the clock to provide immediate relief to affected families, but with rising needs and severe weather conditions forecasted, the coming weeks and months will be critical to ensuring affected families can pick themselves up and, at the very least, recover their lives.” In 2024, an estimated 82 percent of people supported through the RRM have been severely affected or displaced by climate-related shocks. As a result of the unseasonal levels of rain, the RRM cluster has had to spring into action, overstretching RRM teams, and depleting available supplies and resources. As needs continue to rise, RRM teams are struggling to reach affected families due to damaged roads, the erosion of landmines and unexploded ordnance from frontline to civilian areas. Items included in the RRM package are also in short supply. “The situation in the flooded areas is devastating. UNICEF and partners are on the ground providing urgently needed support to those impacted. The role of the Rapid Response Teams is critical in times of distress such as this one,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.The RRM in Yemen was established in 2018 to provide a minimum package of immediate, critical life-saving assistance during human-made or natural disasters to newly displaced persons, and people in displacement sites or hard-to-reach areas, until the first line cluster response kicks in. The RRM ensures the distribution of immediate, ready-to-eat rations, basic hygiene kits provided by UNICEF, and women’s sanitary items provided by UNFPA, within 72 hours of a displacement alert. *** For more information, please contact UNFPA Taha Yaseen: Tel. +967 712 224090; yaseen@unfpa.org Lankani Sikurajapathy: Tel. +94773411614; sikurajapathy@unfpa.org UNICEF Kamal Al-Wazizah: Tel. +967 712 223 06; kalwazizah@unicef.org, filtered_html

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Story

04 June 2025

WHO Yemen: A health worker’s fight against cholera in Yemen

Aden, Yemen For years, Yemen has been fighting outbreaks of cholera and other epidemic prone diseases. In the bustling streets of Aden, where life continues against what often seem insurmountable odds, Al-Mualla Diarrhoea Treatment Centre (DTC) provides a beacon of hope for families battling the devastating impacts of cholera.Behind every life saved is a story of determination, compassion and unrelenting dedication – stories like that of Dr Khalid Mohammed Jaber, an internal medicine specialist working at Al-Mualla, on the forefront of the battle against cholera.Dr Khalid’s efforts, supported by the US$ 3 million King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)-funded cholera response project, have helped transform Al-Mualla facility into a lifeline for those most in need. From providing free of charge care to spreading awareness about prevention, his work shows what targeted funding can achieve.“Every patient feels like one of my own children”For Dr Khalid, treating cholera patients is more than a job – it is a vocation rooted in empathy.“When a patient recovers, it feels as if one of my own children has been healed,” he said. “The joy is immeasurable. It reassures me that my efforts are making a difference.”By ensuring the availability of essential treatments, diagnostic tools and follow-up care, the KSrelief project has significantly enhanced the Centre's capacity to care for cholera patients. According to Dr Khalid, the support has made a substantial difference. It allows patients to access previously inaccessible care for free, alleviating the financial burden on families and allowing the Centre to deliver effective treatments on time.Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Dr Khalid emphasized the importance of public awareness in preventing cholera.“Health education is crucial,” he said. “I use every opportunity – at the clinic, in mosques, during conversations – to inform people about the importance of handwashing, food safety and environmental hygiene.”There are varying levels of understanding within the community. Dr Khalid observed that while some individuals recognize the importance of these practices, others struggle to adapt and change their habits. Acknowledging that progress takes time, he is optimistic that meaningful change can be achieved. Sustaining the fight against choleraIn Yemen, where many families struggle to afford even a basic meal, the KSrelief-funded cholera response project has become a lifeline for the country’s most vulnerable, offering hope and tangible support in the fight against cholera.By reducing the financial burden of treatment, the project has made health care more accessible. By providing essential resources and supplies, it helps ensure that health care facilities are equipped to respond to outbreaks. Through comprehensive training and capacity-building programmes, it empowers health workers to deliver effective care and protect their communities from this devastating disease.By prioritizing the accurate dissemination of information, the project effectively addresses misinformation and helps ensure accurate messages reach communities, fostering better awareness and understanding.Through a multifaceted approach, the project not only addresses immediate health crises, it is helping to lay the foundations for long-term health resilience in Yemen. This collaborative effort highlights how partnerships can create meaningful change, bringing lifesaving support to those who need it most.“The funding allows us to work with dedication and honesty, lifting the burden from our patients’ shoulders. But the fight isn’t over – we must continue to raise awareness and provide care until cholera is no longer a threat,” said Dr Khalid.At Al-Mualla DTC in Aden, every patient treated represents a life saved—a life that could have been lost without the critical, life-saving intervention provided through this important intervention.Since its launch, this project has given a second chance to 250 individuals, including 178 patients suffering from moderate to severe dehydration who were admitted for urgent treatment between November 1 and December 18, 2024. These patients were on the brink of losing their lives to cholera, a ruthless disease that can claim lives within hours due to rapid fluid and electrolyte loss.Their survival is a powerful testament to this intervention, transforming what could have been tragedies into stories of hope and recovery. Each case is not just a number, but a life saved—a mother, father, child, or sibling. With the continuation such important support, countless more lives can be spared, preserving families, futures, and communities. KSrelief support to this centre along with four additional centres, essential medicines and medical supplies, training and supervision of health workers and incentives for staff working 24/7. This vital support ensures that those affected by cholera can access timely care, preventing further suffering and saving lives across Yemen., filtered_html

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Story

29 May 2025

IOM Yemen: Progress Starts at Home - What Happens When a Community Takes Charge of Water

Ibb, Yemen The land is tired. In Ibb, months without rain have hardened the soil and left the hills cracked and bare. The mountains that used to be green now look faded under the sun. In the valley, houses stand close together, their walls covered in dust. On almost every doorstep, empty jerry cans wait in the shade, a sign of how rare water has become. For families here, searching for water is part of everyday life, and every hot wind brings the smell of dry earth and quiet worry. Abdujalel stands on the hillside, a father and deputy governor who has spent years trying to help his town survive. His eyes are fixed on the homes below. “Water is the backbone of life,” he says quietly, the strain of the past years clear in his voice. “Without it, people lose their dignity. Children get sick, fields dry up, and the things we hope for begin to slip away.” For years, the town relied on a water system powered by diesel. The pipes rumbled to life only when enough money could be found for fuel – a difficult task in a place where public salaries have been frozen and the local currency continues to lose its value. Families who once paid a modest fee to fill their tanks now face bills as high as USD 24 a week, forcing many to make impossible choices between water and food.More than 17 million people in Yemen go without safe water, sanitation, or basic hygiene. In rural communities like Al Nadirah, the shortage shapes every part of daily life. Here, running out of water is more than an inconvenience – it fuels malnutrition, drives disease, and strains already fragile relationships.“The cost of diesel made it impossible to keep the water flowing. Even a few hours of pumping would use up a barrel. The town couldn’t keep up and families couldn’t bear the expense.” – Emad, IOM WASH Engineer Turning PointFuel shortages were more than just a logistical hurdle; they threatened lives. Each time water deliveries stopped, families faced a greater risk of disease and malnutrition. As water access dwindled, frustration simmered. “We worried people would reach a breaking point,” Abdujalel says. “Water can bring people together, but when it’s scarce, it can also drive them apart.” With the town under strain, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stepped in. Working closely with local authorities, IOM launched an ambitious plan to solarize the water system. For many residents, it felt almost unbelievable. “I remember when the panels went up for the first time,” says Ghobran, a community volunteer who helped implement the project. “They stretched out toward the sky, catching the sun. For once, we had power from something no one could ration or control: sunlight.” Switching from diesel to solar meant more than just a technical change. It opened up new possibilities. Now, the system runs for hours each day without fuel, costs are down, and water keeps flowing even when fuel supplies are cut off or prices rise. “Before, we had to ration water every day,” says Abdujalel. “Now it comes more often and people no longer have to stand in line, anxious that the taps will run dry.” Lasting ImpactThe move to solar power aligns with Yemen’s national priorities for water, sanitation, and hygiene. By focusing on climate-adaptive solutions, the country is working to strengthen fragile systems and reduce its reliance on uncertain fuel supplies. The benefits stretch far beyond the water tanks. With a steady supply, girls can stay in school instead of missing hours to collect water. Farmers have a real chance to bring their fields back to life. Families spend less on medicine and more on food. “It’s not just about what comes out of the pipes,” Emad says. “It’s about restoring a system that lets people live their lives.” In Al Nadirah District, the upgraded network now serves more than 14,000 people. Before, the diesel-powered system ran sporadically, often reaching only a few neighbourhoods when fuel was scarce and costs soared. As public workers went unpaid and prices kept rising, water slipped out of reach for thousands. By switching to solar, the project replaced an unreliable diesel system with renewable energy, reducing costs and increasing the hours that water is available. Now, water flows more regularly and reaches more homes, especially those that were previously left out because of distance or income. For IOM, this is not just one of the largest WASH projects in Ibb, but a model of what is possible when humanitarian action is guided by community needs, technical innovation, and long-term thinking. “We are proud of what this means for our people,” Emad notes. “It’s not just infrastructure. It’s stability. It’s dignity.”But the challenges are far from over. Yemen is still one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, and the effects of conflict continue to shape daily life. Millions remain without safe water and systems like the one in Ibb depend on regular upkeep and attention.That’s where community members like Ghobran play a crucial role. Although he isn’t an engineer, he has learned how to carry out routine checks and handle minor maintenance himself. For more serious issues, he knows to reach out to local authorities or contact IOM for support.“It makes us feel included. We’re not just waiting for help – we’re part of the solution.” – Ghobran, Community Member Dreams Take RootSolar-powered water systems are moving Yemen’s humanitarian response away from short-term fixes toward lasting, affordable solutions. In a country where nearly 20 million people need aid and resources are stretched thin, IOM’s community-led maintenance approach helps ensure sustainability and real local ownership, even where support is scarce. With this sense of community, Abdujalel is beginning to dream beyond today’s needs. He talks about training centers for young people, expanding solar systems to nearby villages, and turning resilience into lasting progress. “We cannot afford to go backward,” he says. “This project has shown us that growth is possible, even when the country is on its knees.” At home, his children no longer ask if there will be water. They wash their hands freely, without worrying about emptying the tank. It is a quiet change, but one that fills him with hope. “When I see my youngest playing outside in clean clothes, splashing water on his face, I know we did something right.” , filtered_html

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27 May 2025

UNV Yemen: Tailored UNV talent solutions in Yemen: UNV enables project implementation in Taiz and Lahj despite operational challenges

As part of the diverse talent solutions offered by UNV to UN partners, UNV Field Unit in Yemen is introducing the Remote UN Community Volunteer category, which has been recently used by UNDP Yemen to circumvent operational challenges in deploying UN personnel in certain districts of the country.
In August 2024, UNV received a request to recruit four district-based part time UN Community Volunteers to act as District Coordinators with local authorities and local communities for a water resources management project, which aims to enhance resilience of agriculture and food security.
One operational challenge facing UNDP in the implementation of this project was that some districts where implementation was planned were not cleared by UNDSS, namely Al-Mawaset and Al-Selw districts in Taiz and Al-Mosaymer and Tuban in Lahj.
The solution offered by UNV Yemen came through approved Special Program Initiative (SPI) which allows UN partners to benefit from Volunteer talents by recruiting UN Community Volunteers, without the need to be physically present in UNDP offices. This offered community volunteers the opportunity to volunteer inside their home districts (the project site) without these districts being cleared by UNDSS.
On the process, it entailed the direct recruitment of the Community UN Volunteers on part-time contracts for the duration of six months. The volunteers will be receiving a monthly living allowance of $400. They will also be released from any government jobs for one year without pay. All these steps will be documented in the UNV’s Unified Volunteer Platform (UVP) for transparency and to ensure proper record keeping.
As for challenges faced during the process, these were limited to difficulties on the side of two volunteers in registering in the UVP system properly. Both volunteers were contacted for a walk-through to ensure proper registration was completed on time. By March 2025, all the four UN Community Volunteers have started their duties. The same project is considering recruiting more community volunteers for other districts.
While UNDP is the first UN agency in Yemen to benefit from a UNV SPI for supporting project activities at district level, there are about 65 Special Program Initiatives used by many UN agencies globally.
If you would like to benefit from this SPI or any other UNV talent solutions, or if you have any inquiries, please get in touch with us through the below email:
Abdullah Al Duraibi
UNV Yemen Country Coordinator
abdullah.al.duraibi@unv.org. , filtered_html

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22 May 2025

UNFPA Yemen: Restoring Hope: A surgeon pioneering obstetric fistula repairs in Yemen

Aden, Yemen“I have seen women who arrived at the hospital in despair, walk away with hope in their eyes," tells Dr Iqbal Naji, one of the first and amongst only two national obstetric fistula surgeons in Yemen. An obstetric fistula is a serious birth complication resulting from prolonged, obstructed labor. Without proper medical care, long and difficult births can cause a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum – or both – resulting in a fistula. Fistula’s not only cause women to leak urine or feces uncontrollably, 90 percent of women who develop a fistula also deliver a stillborn baby. Obstetric fistulas cause women both physical and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime if untreated. Yet, fistula is almost entirely preventable.Building the skills to help women Dr. Iqbal’s journey began in 1995 when she graduated from medical school and started working as a general practitioner at Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden Governorate. It was during this time that she witnessed firsthand the silent suffering of women with obstetric fistula; they were often abandoned and stigmatized. Their pain and isolation moved her, sparking a determination to find a way to help.In 2012, a turning point came when Dr. Iqbal was selected for a UNFPA-supported training on fistula repair surgery by an international expert. Here she learnt the intricate techniques needed to restore not just physical health but also emotional well-being.Two years later, in 2014, she performed the first-ever fistula repair surgery in Aden. A moment that would change the trajectory of her career and the lives of countless women.Determined to expand her expertise, with the support of UNFPA, Dr. Iqbal pursued advanced training at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia in 2014 and at Community Based Rehabilitation Tanzania Hospital in Tanzania in 2019. These experiences deepened her knowledge and strengthened her commitment to tackling the stigma and suffering endured by women with obstetric fistulas in Yemen.Giving a new chance for women with fistulasToday, Dr. Iqbal has performed over 200 surgical repairs with a 90 percent success rate.Dr. Iqbal faced many obstacles along the way. There was limited medical supplies, resources and a lot of skepticism from her colleagues who warned her that that successful fistula repairs were too difficult to achieve in Yemen. But she never gave up. I was told this specialty was too difficult, that success was rare. But today, when I receive messages from the women I have treated, I know I made the right choice," says Dr. Iqbal with pride. Dr. Iqbal's hands do more than perform surgeries—they restore hope, rebuild lives, and break the cycle of suffering; and for Dr. Iqbal, that is the greatest reward of all.Funding cuts threaten years of progress in treatment and careIn Yemen, women are at increased risk of developing obstetric fistulas during childbirth due to limited or no access to reproductive health services, affecting over five million women of childbearing age in 2025, including the lack of skilled birth attendants during childbirth. Six out of ten births in Yemen take place without a skilled birth attendant.Rising levels of malnutrition, particularly among pregnant women, and alarming rates of child marriage, resulting from the conflict also stand to increase the risk of obstetric fistulas for women in Yemen.UNFPA, has been working to treat and eliminate obstetric fistula in Yemen even prior to the conflict, by training midwives to help mothers safely deliver their babies and by reaching survivors of fistula with care. UNFPA also provides strategic vision, technical guidance and support, medical supplies, training, in addition to promoting community awareness of what obstetric fistula is and how it can be treated. UNFPA has established two fistula treatment centres at Al Sadaqa Hospital in Aden and Al Thawra Hospital in Sana'a Goverorates. These centres provide free surgical treatment and care to over 100 fistula patients each year. However, with deep funding cuts to UNFPA's response in Yemen, these services are now at risk of closure; threating to rolling back years of progress and efforts of health professionals like Dr. Iqbal Naji, who work tirelessly to restore hope for women across Yemen.#EndFistulaDay , filtered_html

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19 May 2025

IOM Yemen: Foundations of Hope - Turning Land Into a Home for Displaced Families

Ma’rib, Yemen “It's not just about relocating; it’s about finding peace of mind in knowing we have a place to stay,” says Horia, a mother of four, who once nurtured her children in a village where love and peace reigned. In her community, families built their own homes, grounded in a belief that stability began at the heart of one’s home. Yet, when war engulfed Yemen, her dreams of a secure future for her family crumbled along with the peaceful village they once knew. As the conflict spread throughout Yemen, many families, like Horia’s, were forced to leave their homes behind. Amidst this, Ma’rib governorate became a critical refuge for those displaced by the violence. However, while Ma’rib offered safety, life in a displacement site brought its own set of harsh challenges.When Horia and her children first arrived in Ma’rib, they sought temporary shelter in the home of a relative. For over a year, the two families shared just two rooms, holding on to the hope that they would soon return to their homes as circumstances improved. However, as time passed, the host family’s need for space grew and they expressed the need for more room to accommodate their expanding family. “I felt a strange disconnect from everything that once felt familiar. My heart ached as the home I once knew no longer existed.” - Horia, Displaced Mother Temporary RefugeIn a desperate bid to survive, her husband sold the last of their belongings. With nothing but a shelter, they relocated to Alnour displacement site, deep in the arid desert. The unforgiving, barren landscape of the camp only amplified the struggles of families already facing severe shortages of basic resources. With no steady income, Horia believed staying in the camp was a safer choice than risking an unstable rental situation elsewhere. However, the family was still forced to face the relentless challenges of survival in the harsh desert. “My financial situation has confined me to living in a tent on someone else’s land, after once owning a home,” Horia confesses. “It hurts that our makeshift tent holds no significance, when it used to represent safety and warmth for us.” As the conflict dragged on, another 700 displaced families found a semblance of stability in the same camp. As more people settled in the area, their makeshift shelters spread further across the land. Many families faced the daunting challenge of setting up their shelters, kitchens, and latrines within strict land restrictions, uncertain whether their homes would remain in place for long. Land of DespairOn one of those autumn mornings, the day began under a serene, clear sky. However, it wasn’t long before dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon. A biting wind swept through the air, signaling that a storm was fast approaching. Amid these challenges, Horia, five months pregnant, stood desperately trying to shield her one-year-old child. Her two daughters clung to her legs as her husband struggled to hold onto their shelter, which was ultimately swept away by the storm. Despite the dire situation in the camp, the number of families seeking long-term settlement continued to rise. As the demand for land increased, so did its value, with the unexpected rise in costs adding another layer of hardship. Forced evictions became common on the site, creating further challenges for already displaced families. On a small plot of land where 50 families had built their lives, the landowner demanded that each family pay rent for the land or face eviction. In this difficult economic climate, the families could neither afford the land rental nor find a viable alternative for settling elsewhere.Attempts at tribal mediation were made, but the efforts to reach a peaceful resolution were met with outright disagreement. The families were now confronted with the real threat of eviction and fear began to spread throughout the community.“I couldn’t bear seeing my children scared and in tears with every argument we faced.” – Horia, Displaced Mother Coordinated ReliefAmidst the turmoil, Raga Mahde, a Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) field assistant with IOM, emerged as a key focal point in responding to the eviction threats. Along with her team, she worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts and provide assistance in what remained a challenging and unstable environment.“The plight of vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, facing eviction is deeply distressing,” says Raga. “Our aim was to relocate the families in a way that would ensure their safety and preserve their dignity.”Through close coordination with the Executive Unit for Camp Management, a piece of land was eventually allocated to host the 50 families at risk of eviction. This decision came after extensive consultations with the community, including focus-group discussions, to ensure that the relocation process met the needs and concerns of those affected.Strength in UnityBefore any relocation, IOM teams conduct a land suitability assessment to ensure the site is safe and not at risk of flooding or other natural hazards. Once a suitable location is confirmed, IOM engineers work with the community to establish and train a maintenance committee, selected by the residents themselves. Community mobilizers are also trained to support day-to-day upkeep and contribute to longer-term infrastructure planning. This approach helps ensure the site’s sustainability while fostering a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility. With the support of IOM’s CCCM team, the relocated families received transitional shelters, non-food items, multi-purpose cash assistance, and vital water, sanitation, and hygiene support. The response was holistic, addressing their immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a more secure future. For the displaced families, the transition from fear to reassurance marked the beginning of a new chapter. The once-temporary shelters, now constructed on secured land, transformed into a resilient community, giving hope where despair had once prevailed.FootnotesThe relocation of displaced families was made possible through the support of EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) as part of IOM’s Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) efforts., filtered_html

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Press Release

03 June 2025

One Year in Detention: Heads of United Nations Agencies and INGOs renew demand for release of staff detained in northern Yemen

03 June 2025 This week marks one year since dozens of personnel from the United Nations, non-governmental and civil society organisations, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in northern Yemen. Others have been detained since as far back as 2021. Today, we reiterate our urgent demand for their immediate and unconditional release.As of today, 23 UN and five international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) personnel remain arbitrarily detained. Tragically, one UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention. Others have lost loved ones while being held, denied the chance to attend their funerals or say goodbye.

Our arbitrarily detained colleagues have spent at least 365 days - and for some, over 1000 days – isolated from their families, children, husbands, and wives, in flagrant breach of international law. The toll of this detention is also weighing heavily on their families, who continue to endure the unbearable pain of absence and uncertainty as they face another Eid without their loved one.Nothing can justify their ordeal. They were doing their jobs, helping people in desperate need: people without food, shelter, or adequate healthcare.

Yemen remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, many of whom rely on it for survival. A safe and enabling operating environment for humanitarian operations, including the release of detained personnel, is essential to maintaining and restoring assistance to those in need.. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained while carrying out their mandates to serve the people of Yemen.The prolonged detention of our colleagues has a chilling effect across the international community, undermining support for Yemen and hindering humanitarian response. It has also undermined mediation efforts for lasting peace.We acknowledge the release of one UN and two NGO personnel and the recent release of an Embassy staff member. We call on the de facto authorities to deliver on their previous commitments, including those made to the Director-General of the World Health Organization during his mission to Sana'a in December 2024.The UN and INGOs will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.Signatories:•    Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP
•    Amitabh Behar, OXFAM International Executive Director
•    Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO
•    Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
•    Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director
•    Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen
•    Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International
•    Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE
•    Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO
•    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Press Release

03 June 2025

WHO and UAE launch joint programme to reduce malnutrition among Yemenis on Socotra Island

01 June 2025The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates through the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work (an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies), and in close coordination with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), has launched a comprehensive programme to combat malnutrition in Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean.Socotra is facing malnutrition challenges driven by food insecurity, as well as repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles and dengue fever. Health and nutrition services are critically under-resourced, placing children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women at extreme risk of preventable illness and death.The island’s more than 83 000 residents are served by 32 health facilities which are under immense strain. It lacks a central public health laboratory, a functional drug warehouse and a medical prepositioning system, all of which are essential for timely emergency response and sustainable health care delivery.The fragile health system suffers from a lack of skilled health personnel, essential medicines and emergency readiness mechanisms. Maternal health indicators are alarming, with 92.7% of pregnant women anemic and antenatal care attendance low. Around 37% of children have yet to receive a single vaccine dose. The global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate stands at 10.9% and the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate at 1.6%, indicating a serious public health emergency.“This programme reflects a joint commitment by WHO and the UAE to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children, while reinforcing healthcare systems in crisis-affected areas. In partnership with national authorities, we are working to create more resilient, equitable, and responsive health services for the people of Socotra, establishing a foundation for long-term health security on the island and contributing to a stronger and healthier Yemen,” said Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo.The initiative began with a baseline health and nutrition survey conducted between 24 and 30 May 2025. Over the next two, years the project aims to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20% through an integrated health system strengthening approach. The project aims to:enhance maternal and child health service coverage in 80% of health facilities within the next 24 months;strengthen outbreak preparedness and disaster risk reduction by equipping health care facilities and build staff capacity so they can respond effectively to epidemic-prone diseases and cyclone-related emergencies;establish a multisectoral health and nutrition coordination platform that enables quarterly strategic planning meetings between WHO, UAE, MoPHP and partners;generate real-time evidence-based data through the baseline health and nutrition survey conducted between 24 and 30 May 2025; andstrengthen routine health information reporting/ system to track progress on service utilization, morbidity and mortality.“H.E. Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work, stressed the UAE’s humanitarian and global responsibility to develop communities and enhance critical health services. “This stems from the enduring humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,” he said. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. “The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,” he added.“For media inquiries, please contact:WHO Yemen Communications Team
Email: mediayemen@who.int About WHOSince 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable., filtered_html

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Press Release

20 May 2025

116 Aid Organizations Call for Immediate Action to Pull Yemen Back from the Brink of Catastrophe

20 May 2025 After more than a decade of severe crisis and conflict, people in Yemen are facing what may be their toughest year so far. Conflict, economic collapse and climate shocks continue to drive humanitarian needs. Aid is drying up due to severe funding cuts. Airstrikes have resulted in
hundreds of civilian casualties and damaged critical infrastructure.
As leaders gather tomorrow for the seventh Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting (SOM VII), UN agencies and international and national NGOs operating in Yemen call on the international community to take urgent, collective action to prevent catastrophic conditions from taking hold.
Almost five months into 2025, the Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is less than 10 per cent funded, preventing critical aid delivery to millions of people across the country, including women and girls, displaced communities, children, refugees, migrants and other vulnerable and marginalized groups who are bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Despite funding shortfalls and other challenges such as insecurity, access constraints and the continued detention of humanitarian personnel by the de facto authorities, aid agencies are on the ground and delivering. With support from donors, we are fighting hunger, disease and deprivation, and providing life-saving assistance and services including protection, education, shelter and clean water. Local NGOs and civil society organizations play a critical role in these efforts, often serving as the first and sometimes only responders in remote and hard-to-reach areas, having gained the trust of communities over years of engagement.
Time and again, we have seen how donor support saves lives. Their generous contributions have prevented famine, alleviated suffering and protected the most vulnerable. Today, this solidarity is even more critical. We urgently appeal to donors to scale up flexible, timely, and predictable funding for the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Without immediate action, the vital gains achieved through years of dedicated assistance could be lost.
We also urge the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the SOM to help Yemenis rebuild their lives in dignity. In addition to sustained humanitarian aid, development assistance must be scaled up to prevent communities from sliding into more acute levels of humanitarian needs, ensure access to essential services and generate economic and livelihood opportunities.
Strengthened engagement is also essential to stop the conflict that has destroyed so many lives and put Yemen back on a path toward peace and recovery. In the meantime, it is critical to minimize the impacts of conflict on civilians, and we appeal for action to ensure respect for
international humanitarian law, including protection of civilians and humanitarian access to all those in need.
Now more than ever, swift and resolute support is crucial to prevent Yemen from sliding deeper into crisis and move towards a lasting peace.
Signatory Organizations
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• United Nations Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC)
• World Food Progamme (WFP)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Accept International
• Action For Humanity
• Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)
• Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
• Caritas Poland
• Center for Civilians In Conflict (CIVIC)
• Concern Worldwide
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
• Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
• Gift of the Givers Foundation
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
• INTERSOS
• Médecins du Monde (MdM)
• MedGlobal
• Medical and Healthcare Action for Development
• Mercy Corps
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
• Oxfam
• Polish Humanitarian Action
• Première Urgence - Aide Médicale Internationale
• Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) - Yemen Office
• Relief International
• Save the Children International
• Solidarités International
• Triangle Génération Humanitaire
• ZOA International
• Abductees Mothers Association (AMA)
• Abs Development Organization (ADO)
• Adan Network for Humiliation work (ANHW)
• Ahdaf Assosiation for Development & Work Humanitarian (ADWH)
• Al Baraka Foundation for Development (ABDF)
• Al Nokhbah Agriculture Cooperative Association (AAC)
• Alakhar Center for Peace and Development (ACPD)
• Al-Atta Institution for Social Development and Charity (AISDC)
• Aljood Foundation For Development (AFD)
• Altadhamon Foundation For Development (AFD)
• Al-Talib Society for Development (TSD)
• Altwasul for Human Development
• Al-Walaa Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Work (AWF)
• Al-Wed Development Foundation (WDF)
• Assistance for Response and Development (ARD-Y)
• Banan Benevolent Corporation for Development
• Basamat Development Foundation (BDF)
• Bena Charity for Humanitarian Development (BCFHD)
• Best Future Foundation (BFF)
• Building Foundation for Development (BFD)
• Child Protection Care Organization (CPCO)
• Coalition of Humanitarian Relief (CHR)
• DEEM for Development Organization
• Diversity Organization
• Empower Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (EFSD)
• Enqath Foundation for Development (EFD)
• Estijabah Foundation for Humanitarian Aid and Relief (EFHAR)
• Experts Organization For Development
• Field Medical Foundation (FMF)
• For Human Development Foundation (FHD)
• Future Pioneers Foundation for Training and Development (FPF)
• HETEEN Developmental and Charitable Foundation
• Human Access for Partnership and Development
• Humanitarian Organization for Women and Children (WKF)
• Iqra Development Association (IDA)
• Jannat Development Foundation (JDF)
• Jeel Albena Association for Humanitarian Development (JAAHD)
• Joodn Organization for Development and Peace (JODP)
• Khudh Beyadi Foundation Development (KBFD)
• Life Makers Meeting Place Organization (LMMPO)
• Light Foundation for Development
• Maali Foundation for Development (MFD)
• Medical Mercy Foundation Yemen (MMF)
• Mona Relief and Development Organization
• Mwatana Organization for Human Rights
• Nahda Makers Organization (NMO)
• Namaa Development Foundation (NDF)
• National NGOs Forum
• National Union for the Development of the Poorest
• Neda'a Foundation for Development (NFD)
• Rawabi Al-Nahdah Developmental Foundation (RADF)
• Rawafid Social Charity Foundation (RSD)
• Rawahel Foundation for Development (RFD)
• Read Foundation Yemen (RFY)
• Reduction of Humanitarian Disaster Organization (RHD)
• Relief and Development Peer Foundation (RDP)
• Reyadah for Development Foundation
• Safe Road for Peace and Development (SRPD)
• Sawaed Al-Khair Humanitarian Foundation (SKHF)
• School Feeding and Humanitarian Relief Project (SFHRP)
• Shibam Social Association for Development (SSAD)
• Social Coexistence Foundation (SCF)
• SOS Foundation For Development
• Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF)
• Tamdeen Youth Foundation (TYF)
• Together Foundation For Human Development (TFHD)
• Yamany Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Work (YDH)
• Yanabia Al-Khair Charity Foundation (YKF)
• Yemen Al-Khair for Relief and Development (YARD)
• Yemen Development Foundation (YDF)
• Yemen Displacement Response Consortium (YDR)
• Yemen Family Care Association (YFCA)
• Yemen General Union of Sociologists, Social Workers and Psychologists (YGUSSWP)
• Yemen Ghawth Foundation for Humanitarian Work (YRFH)
• Yemen International Agency for Development (YIAD)
• Yemen Karam Organization (YEKO)
• Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS)
• Yemen Women Union (YWU)
• Youth Association for the Development of Popular Neighborhoods
• Youth of Aden Ambition Foundation (APYF), filtered_html

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Press Release

19 May 2025

FAO and the Netherlands Strengthen Partnership to Boost Agricultural Resilience in Hadramout

Hadramout, Yemen – 19 May 2025 A Dutch Embassy delegation, led by Deputy Ambassador Ms. Marieke Wierda and Mr. Jan Peter, joined FAO for a week-long visit to Hadramout Governorate. The visit focused on the Dutch-funded, FAO-led Sustainable Watershed Management programme, which aims to improve water security through Integrated Water Resource Management and targeted watershed interventions. Officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Water reviewed progress and impact of ongoing joint efforts. Reviving Wadi Hajer: A Lifeline for Agriculture in Southern Yemen
Wadi Hajer, a key palm-growing and water-rich valley west of Mukalla, suffered years of irrigation neglect. With Dutch funding, FAO is restoring vital infrastructure to improve water access for farmers. The Netherlands and France also support broader efforts across the Wadi Hajer watershed—including Hajar, Maefa’a, and Broom—to enhance water security, climate resilience, and crop productivity for over 90,000 people. Interventions include flood protection, sustainable agriculture, cash-for-work, and support for women-led initiatives.  Dialogue with local authorities in Seiyun
In Seiyun, the team met Mr. Hisham Al-Saeidi, Assistant Deputy Governor, who outlined local priorities in water, agriculture, and food security, and expressed appreciation for FAO and Dutch support. FAO’s work includes desert locust and flood control, with the 2024 handover of the fully equipped Desert Locust Centre. Ms. Marieke Wierda highlighted the Netherlands’ strong partnership with Yemen, especially in cultural heritage and water, now expanding to Wadi Hajjar and Wadi Al-Ain. Dr. Hussein Gadain reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient water management.
A shared commitment to sustainable development
Speaking on behalf of the Dutch government, Mr. Jan Peter emphasized the priority of job creation and long-term development in Yemen’s rural areas, especially for youth. He stressed the need for a holistic approach connecting agriculture, water, and livelihoods. The delegation also met with farmers and water user associations to hear success stories, gather feedback, and identify future needs.Scaling Up for Greater Impact
Looking ahead, FAO and its partners plan to:
•    Introduce high-efficiency irrigation across 1,000 hectares.
•    Develop 160 greenhouses and 1,000 home gardens.
•    Equip farmers with modern tools, training, and agricultural inputs.
“FAO’s water management work directly benefits over 55,000 people and indirectly reaches nearly 89,000,” said Dr. Hussein Gadain. “Wadi Hadramout has great potential—sustained investment is vital for Yemen’s recovery and resilience.” FAO and the Dutch government reaffirmed their joint commitment to rural transformation and long-term resilience in Yemen.
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Press Release

11 May 2025

UNICEF Launches Groundbreaking Nutrition Initiative to Accelerate Undernutrition Reduction in Yemen

11 May 2025, Aden, Yemen The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with national and international partners, is proud to announce the launch of the “Accelerated Actions toward the Prevention of Undernutrition” programme in Yemen.With funding from the German Federal Government through KfW Development Bank, this landmark initiative aims to reduce the alarming rates of undernutrition among women, girls and boys through an integrated, multisectoral approach focused on prevention.Undernutrition remains one of Yemen’s most urgent and persistent public health challenges, exacerbated by years of conflict, economic collapse, and limited access to essential services. Approximately 2.4 million children under the age of five and 1.5 million pregnant and lactating women suffer from acute malnutrition in Yemen, placing them at greater risk of illness, developmental delays, and death, while nearly 50% (about 2.6 million) of Yemeni children under the age of five are stunted, an irreversible form of undernutrition which affect cognitive development school performance, adult productivity and economic development of Yemen.To address this crisis, UNICEF and its partners have designed a comprehensive programme that targets 32 high-priority districts across 12 governorates. The initiative will strengthen the delivery of preventive nutrition services through improved community-based systems, focusing on early childhood nutrition, maternal health, safe water and sanitation, food security, and social behavior change communication.“This initiative is a major step forward in our collective effort to not only treat but more importantly prevent undernutrition in Yemen,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen. “By working together with the Government of Yemen, civil society, and international donors, we aim to build resilient systems and empower communities to secure a healthier future for children and mothers,” added Mr. Hawkins.Key components of the programme include:Strengthening community-based platforms to deliver essential nutrition services.Promoting optimal infant and young child feeding practices.Enhancing coordination across sectors such as health, WASH, food security, and education.Increasing access to micronutrient supplementation and preventive health services.Supporting national and sub-national capacity building for sustainable impact.The programme launch will be marked by a two-day technical workshop in Aden, convening key stakeholders to align strategies, roles, and implementation plans. Participants will include representatives from government ministries, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and donor partners.UNICEF calls on all partners and stakeholders to support and invest in the prevention of undernutrition in Yemen. Collective action today can save lives and pave the way for a generation of children to grow, learn, and thrive.Media contactsKamal Al-WazizahCommunications SpecialistUNICEF YemenTel: +967 712 223 068Email: kalwazizah@unicef.orgAbout UNICEFUNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.For more information about UNICEF Yemen and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen, filtered_html

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