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22 July 2024
IOM YEMEN: YEMEN’S FIGHT AGAINST CHOLERA - Overcoming Health Barriers and Building Resilience
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Press Release
15 July 2024
UNICEF Yemen & WHO Yemen - Second round of polio vaccination campaign to reach 1.3 million children in 12 governorates of Yemen
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Press Release
15 July 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY 2024
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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
30 April 2024
UN Yemen Country Results Report 2023
United Nations Country Team in Yemen:The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Yemen comprises representatives from 19 United Nations Funds, Programmes, and Specialized agencies, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator. This team is pivotal in assisting Yemen to meet its development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these members, five agencies operate without a physical presence within the country, highlighting the challenging context in which the UNCT operates. The team collaborates closely with a United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), crucial for disseminating information about the UN’s activities in Yemen.
The activities of the Yemen UNCT are guided by a strategic United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) specifically tailored for Yemen, extending through 2025. Initiated in the 2022, this cooperation framework is a vital planning and implementation tool for the UNCT’s development initiatives in Yemen. It is closely aligned with Yemen’s context and the global 2030 Agenda, setting forth four strategic pillars that lead to specific outcomes and outputs. Oversight and strategic guidance for this framework is provided by the Programme Management Team (PMT) that includes relevant UN agencies. To support its operations, the Yemen UNCT benefits from various coordination mechanisms, including four Results Groups that align with the strategic outcomes of the Cooperation Framework. The framework’s implementation is further supported by an Operations Management Team (OMT), a United Nations Communications Group (UNCG), and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Group (MEL). These entities play a crucial role in ensuring the UN’s work in Yemen is coherent, effective, and efficient, despite the complex challenges faced in the country. United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework:STRATEGIC PILLAR 1: INCREASE FOOD SECURITY, IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS AND JOB CREATION Outcome: Availability, sustainability and inclusive access to quality nutrition, food security, environment, and resilient livelihoods enhanced.Focus areas:Enhancement of Nutritional and Health Quality and Diversity.Sustainable Agricultural Practices.Inclusive Access to Resources and Markets.Climate Resilience and Adaptation in Food Systems.Strengthening Local Food Systems and Short Supply Chains. STRATEGIC PILLAR 2: PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND EFFICIENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMSOutcome:
Rights-based experience of the governance and Rule of Law services and frontline stakeholders enhanced.Focus areas:Capacity Building of Governance Institutions.Education and Awareness on Rights.Enhancing Service Delivery.Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination.Access to Justice and Legal Aid.Public Participation and Inclusion. STRATEGIC PILLAR 3: DRIVE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATIONOutcome:Access to decent work with livelihood opportunities for resilience to economic shocks increased for all.Focus areas:Skills Development and Vocational Training.Support Small and Medium Enterprises.Labor Rights and Protection.Social Protection.Economic Support.Gender Equality and Access. STRATEGIC PILLAR 4: BUILD SOCIAL SERVICES, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND INCLUSION FOR ALLOutcome:
Quality, access and use of needs-based, equitable, inclusive social protection and social services improved.Focus areas:Healthcare Access and Equity.Education for All.Child and family Welfare.Income and Livelihood Support.Accessibility and Inclusion.
The activities of the Yemen UNCT are guided by a strategic United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) specifically tailored for Yemen, extending through 2025. Initiated in the 2022, this cooperation framework is a vital planning and implementation tool for the UNCT’s development initiatives in Yemen. It is closely aligned with Yemen’s context and the global 2030 Agenda, setting forth four strategic pillars that lead to specific outcomes and outputs. Oversight and strategic guidance for this framework is provided by the Programme Management Team (PMT) that includes relevant UN agencies. To support its operations, the Yemen UNCT benefits from various coordination mechanisms, including four Results Groups that align with the strategic outcomes of the Cooperation Framework. The framework’s implementation is further supported by an Operations Management Team (OMT), a United Nations Communications Group (UNCG), and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Group (MEL). These entities play a crucial role in ensuring the UN’s work in Yemen is coherent, effective, and efficient, despite the complex challenges faced in the country. United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework:STRATEGIC PILLAR 1: INCREASE FOOD SECURITY, IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS AND JOB CREATION Outcome: Availability, sustainability and inclusive access to quality nutrition, food security, environment, and resilient livelihoods enhanced.Focus areas:Enhancement of Nutritional and Health Quality and Diversity.Sustainable Agricultural Practices.Inclusive Access to Resources and Markets.Climate Resilience and Adaptation in Food Systems.Strengthening Local Food Systems and Short Supply Chains. STRATEGIC PILLAR 2: PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND EFFICIENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMSOutcome:
Rights-based experience of the governance and Rule of Law services and frontline stakeholders enhanced.Focus areas:Capacity Building of Governance Institutions.Education and Awareness on Rights.Enhancing Service Delivery.Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination.Access to Justice and Legal Aid.Public Participation and Inclusion. STRATEGIC PILLAR 3: DRIVE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATIONOutcome:Access to decent work with livelihood opportunities for resilience to economic shocks increased for all.Focus areas:Skills Development and Vocational Training.Support Small and Medium Enterprises.Labor Rights and Protection.Social Protection.Economic Support.Gender Equality and Access. STRATEGIC PILLAR 4: BUILD SOCIAL SERVICES, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND INCLUSION FOR ALLOutcome:
Quality, access and use of needs-based, equitable, inclusive social protection and social services improved.Focus areas:Healthcare Access and Equity.Education for All.Child and family Welfare.Income and Livelihood Support.Accessibility and Inclusion.
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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.
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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
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
22 July 2024
IOM YEMEN: YEMEN’S FIGHT AGAINST CHOLERA - Overcoming Health Barriers and Building Resilience
Shabwah, Yemen Every day, Mohammed wakes up at dawn and ventures into the deep seas off Shabwah in search of what could be his day’s wage or his family’s only meal.Mohammed learned the trade from a young age, inheriting the knowledge of the sea from his ancestors, generation after generation. Despite his love for the sea, the proud fisherman has struggled to provide for his family of nine, a challenge made even more difficult when one of his children fell ill.Located far from the main city, the community in Hawra faced a daunting 50-kilometre journey to reach the nearest medical centre. This trip represented a dreadful quest for most villagers, who could neither afford the transportation fees nor the medical expenses.“When one of our people gets sick, it becomes a heavy burden to provide them with the needed health care.Some families have no choice but to be separated from their loved ones for days in search of medical assistance, putting additional strain on their financial situation.” HEALTH EMERGENCYGrappling with its tenth year of conflict, Yemen faced the largest cholera outbreak in recent history between 2016 and 2022, with over 2.5 million suspected cases and 4,000 deaths. The latest wave has already seen over 30,000 suspected cases since the beginning of the year.Cases surged notably among the most vulnerable groups in Shabwah, who have limited to no access to essential health services. The situation was further aggravated by heavy rains and subsequent flooding, which contributed to the spread of cholera. Mohammed witnessed a woman lose her life on the way to the nearest centre because the road was cut off by floods.Responding to this urgent need, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported the reopening of the Hawra Health Centre in Shabwah, bringing renewed hope to Mohammed and his community. The centre was designed to address a wide range of health concerns, with cholera being one of the primary focuses. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIESIOM’s efforts to combat cholera extended beyond mere provision of medical services; the team mobilized community volunteers to raise awareness. These volunteers have dedicated themselves to assisting communities in managing the outbreak.“I was deeply moved by the suffering of our people, so I decided to become a health worker to help my community,” explains Jamila Abdullah, an IOM volunteer in Shabwah.Throughout the cholera outbreak, their primary objectives included providing essential healthcare services, improving community health literacy, and promoting public health practices. Through their unwavering support, the volunteers have significantly contributed to overall health guidance.Changing community practices and establishing new behaviours was a challenging task, but the volunteers persevered. Through door-to-door visits, they encouraged families to adopt activities that would protect their health and well-being and fostered a sense of collective responsibility.The teams began their volunteering experience at Hawra Health Centre, the sole health facility in the region. However, the cholera outbreak extended beyond the population of Hawra village and impacted migrants who face significant challenges in accessing basic healthcare. To address these needs, IOM enlisted the support of its mobile medical teams present along key migration routes. PREPAREDNESS STRATEGYIn close collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population and local health offices, IOM has continuously expanded its efforts to provide immediate aid to areas affected by widespread cholera and acute watery diarrhea (AWD). IOM’s comprehensive preparedness and response strategy ensures that treatment centers also have Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to prevent infection transmission among patients and medical staff. Given the significant risks of contaminated water, IOM supplies vulnerable communities with automatic chlorinators, water treatment chemicals, and cholera and hygiene kits.IOM’s hygiene team supported the distribution of cholera kits and conducted enhanced hygiene promotion to increase understanding and adoption of hygienic practices. Water treatment has proven instrumental in reducing the number of cholera outbreaks in affected communities. “Cholera has claimed many lives around here. Now that we have a health centre in the area, I feel much more confident about my family’s safety when I’m away at sea.” — Mohammed HOPE RESTOREDAt Hawra Health Center, volunteers addressed immediate health concerns, particularly cholera, in their community. They have not only initiated positive changes to enhance healthcare for vulnerable groups but also instilled a sense of hope and resilience across the community.Since the outbreak, health and hygiene volunteers have been tirelessly providing essential healthcare services and educational sessions to women, children and men who had long lacked access to such services. Their dedication to assisting people extends beyond regular working hours, as they continue to support people seeking help even late into the night.Over time, through collaborative and sustained efforts to combat cholera, significant progress has been made in bridging the gap in healthcare services for host communities and migrants in Shabwah. The access to healthcare services has not only laid a foundation for a healthier future but also strengthened the community’s sense of security. FOOTNOTESIOM’s cholera response in Yemen is supported by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF).
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Story
18 July 2024
UNDP Yemen: Upskilling young professionals in Yemen: Revitalizing rural veterinary services
In Yemen, livestock play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, providing essential resources for sustenance and economic stability. Many Yemenis have reported that livestock are dying, even in areas close to major cities, due to the dwindling availability of quality veterinary care. There is a critical need for veterinary services across Yemen, and particularly in remote rural areas. Despite the high demand, providing quality animal health services in Yemen is increasingly challenging, largely due to economic hardship which has severely restricted the ability of the few practicing veterinarians to equip their clinics and stay up-to-date on training. Many veterinarians struggle to both find and afford training, especially when faced with the more immediate challenges related to supporting their families. The current situation in Yemen is a result of years of conflict, which has wreaked havoc on educational institutions and professional training programmes, resulting in a significant shortage of qualified veterinarians. Many professionals have been compelled to flee conflict zones or pivot to other occupations due to safety concerns and economic instability.With generous funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Yemen, with local partner, the Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Service (SMEPS), has embarked on initiatives to support existing veterinarians in Yemen. These efforts aim to help veterinarians revive and replenish their clinics, thereby enabling them to continue providing vital services to local communities. This approach not only aims to improve animal health but also to sustain a critical source of income for veterinarians and contribute to the overall economic resilience of rural communities in Yemen. The Vocational and Business Skills Training and Support Project Phase II benefits 113 veterinarians and animal health workers across 12 districts—Al-Mukalla, Al-Qatn, Tareem, Al-Gayadah, Al-Waziya, Mawza, Salah, Al Shamayatain, Merkhah as Sufla, Marib, Al Maqatera, and Tuban—in six governorates of Yemen: Hadramaut, Al Maharah, Taizz, Shabwah, Marib, and Lahj.Mr. Abdullah Awad Al-Aubthani, the Director General of the Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Hadramaut Governorate, underscores the critical need for veterinary training: "Training is immensely valuable for enhancing knowledge and awareness, thereby improving the competency of trainees. It is essential to provide specialized supplementary courses to further develop and elevate their skills." Access to veterinary services plays a vital role in the social stability and economic resilience of rural communities in Yemen by enabling livestock owners to sustain their livelihoods and support their families, reducing the risk of potential conflict and displacement caused by economic difficulties. Recognizing this, providing support to veterinarians in targeted areas through grants and training programmes benefits not only veterinary professionals, but also their surrounding communities. Dr. Adnan Qasam Ahmed, a trainee from Marib Governorate, reflects on the training: "I gained new experiences and knowledge in the veterinary field that I was previously unaware of, including how to manage diseases that were widespread but unfamiliar to me." “The biggest challenge we face as veterinarians in this region is the lack of resources,” says Dr. Saeed Omar from Hadramout. “My clinic doesn’t have all the necessary equipment, and I don’t have transportation to visit farmers and their livestock. Many farmers come to me without their animals and can only describe the symptoms, which makes it hard to diagnose and treat them.”Anas Othman, a veterinary worker who participated in the training in Marib Governorate, shared his experience: “The training was excellent. I gained a lot in both theory and practice. The field trips were especially helpful, giving me practical knowledge on how to handle various animal diseases.”Veterinary services are crucial in fragile country contexts because they provide educational opportunities and create jobs, helping to build a skilled workforce and support economic recovery and resilience.***The Vocational and Business Skills Training and Support project (Phase II) aims to empower 1533 young women and men in rural areas with vocational, technical, and business skills, and nurture an entrepreneurship culture to enhance their employability and productive engagement in economic and local recovery activities. This project is funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). The project provides grants and technical training on a wide variety of in-demand professions across nine governorates and 24 districts: Abyan (Ahwar and Khanfir), Lahj (Al-Maqatera, Al-Qabaita, Radfan, Ras Al-Arah, Tuban), Aden (Daar Saad), Marib (Marib), Shabwah (Ar rawdah, Merkhah as sufla and Rudum), Hadramaut (Al-Mukalla, Al-Qatn, Ash shihr, Tareem), Al Maharah (Al-Ghaydah and Huswain), Ad dhale’e (Ad dhale'e and Al-Azariq), and Taiz (Al-Shamayatain Salah, Mawza and Al-Waziya). The project builds beneficiaries’ capacities in the areas of food processing, textiles and handloom, and vocational skills such as car mechanics, carpentry, cell phone repairs, home appliance maintenance, veterinary services, solar energy systems installation and maintenance.
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Story
18 July 2024
UNDP Yemen: Equipping young Yemenis with skills for peace and development
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day to recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship in promoting equitable and inclusive sustainable development.The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024, "Youth Skills for Peace and Development," underscores the crucial role young people play in peacebuilding and advancing development solutions. Peace and sustainable development are inextricably linked; in a peaceful society, businesses can thrive, jobs are created, and access to services is enhanced, leading to improved livelihoods. Development solutions, in turn, foster resilient economies, strong governance systems, and better infrastructure, decisively reducing poverty and inequality.In Yemen, young people under the age of 30 make up around 30% of the population. They face many complex challenges resulting from the ongoing and prolonged crisis, including high unemployment, limited access to basic services, and food insecurity. Without equipping young people with the necessary skills to navigate these issues, the prospect of a peaceful and resilient Yemen will remain elusive.Empowering young people with skills to promote economic growth through cultural and creative industriesCoffee cupping In Yemen, the potential for the coffee value chain is vast, however, so is the gap in quality control capacities. Coffee cupping is an essential method of quality control used by coffee professionals in the industry. It helps them evaluate the characteristics of coffee beans and blends and enables experts to find coffee that suits buyers’ needs and requirements. For years, Yemen had only one internationally certified coffee cupper, which challenged its opportunity to expand to international markets. UNDP’s Strengthening Institutional and Economics Resilience (SIERY) Project, generously funded by the European Union, supports the coffee value chain in myriad ways, including the construction of a coffee market and enhancing the capacities of coffee farmers, as well as supporting young Yemenis to enhance their coffee cupping skills.Meet Muneef, one of 45 participants at one of the coffee cupping training courses supported by the SIERY Project. "Through the coffee cupping training, my skills and knowledge in the coffee sector have significantly grown," explains 27-year-old Muneef. He detailed how these training sessions equipped him with not only technical expertise but also a deeper understanding of the complexities of coffee cultivation, processing, and tasting. "Following the training, I started working as an assistant coffee cupping trainer," Muneef added. Driven by his deep-rooted passion for coffee, Muneef now works with certified trainers to empower other young Yemenis with coffee cupping skills. Muneef’s dedication to advancing his knowledge in coffee cupping exemplifies a broader effort to safeguard Yemeni heritage. As one of the oldest coffee-producing regions globally, coffee holds a special place in Yemen's cultural heritage, deeply intertwined with its history and traditions. For centuries, coffee has not only been a source of livelihood for Yemeni farmers but also a symbol of hospitality, social gatherings, and cultural identity. The art of coffee preparation, from traditional roasting methods to the intricate rituals of brewing and serving, reflects Yemeni craftsmanship and a commitment to preserving cultural practices passed down through generations. As a result of these trainings, eight participants have successfully qualified to attend an international coffee cupping certification in Jordan, while access to new markets and clients has been unlocked with a staggering 13 per cent increase as reported through independent monitoring.Henna production Yemen’s strong cultural ties to henna (used in weddings and other celebrations) provides a stable domestic market, while the growing global interest in natural and cultural products offers Yemeni henna opportunities for export. By developing the henna value chain, sustainable income streams are generated, especially for women in rural areas, and this intangible cultural heritage is promoted. In line with the development priorities of Ghail Bawazir local authorities, the SIERY Project supported henna production trainings for 14 young women to upskill them with the skills and knowledge to produce and market henna products in addition to financial and business management capacities. “Through the financial and technical trainings, I learned how to calculate the costs of sale," shares Latifa, one of the young women participants in the training, emphasizing how these skills have allowed her to plan and manage her business expenses. "The marketing skills I learned at the training have also enabled me to reach a larger audience and achieve higher profits," Latifa continues, illustrating how her ability to draw out marketing strategies opened new avenues for customer engagement and revenue generation. Beyond these tangible advantages, the training empowered Latifa and her business partners, whom she met at the training, to navigate the competitive market with a clear vision and robust business acumen. Together, they make hair and skin care products using henna and sell them from home. Equipping young people with the skills to drive economic growth through cultural and creative industries is not just a necessity—it's a strategic imperative for sustainable development. By equipping youth with the knowledge and tools to harness their creativity, their potential to innovate, create jobs, and revitalize economies is unlocked. Investing in their education and training not only fuels economic diversification but also preserves cultural heritage and fosters social cohesion. The coffee cupping and henna trainings were carried out by the SIERY Project with local partner SMEPS, the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service. Young Yemenis at the forefront of resolving community conflictsRecognizing young Yemenis’ roles as leaders in tackling the complex crises facing them is crucial when fostering peaceful societies. Through the UN Peace Support Facility’s Small Grant Mechanism, six Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are upskilling young Yemenis’ capacities in conflict resolution and mediation to ensure their full and meaningful participation in local and national peace processes. Central to the CSOs’ work is building trust among youth and key security institutions and raising awareness on reintegrating community returnees. By equipping young people with essential skills for community engagement and peacebuilding, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a more stable and peaceful Yemen. Similarly, Thekrayat, a participant at one of the trainings through the Marib Dam Foundation, emphasizes the positive impact of the programme: "I gained knowledge and skills in negotiations, mediation, peacebuilding, and transitional justice. I feel empowered to make informed decisions and analyze conflicts effectively.” Ammar, another participant from the same training, highlights: "We gained skills in conducting peacebuilding advocacy campaigns and how to use social media as a tool to bridge differences and promote a culture of peace." The commitment to upskilling young Yemenis is more than an educational endeavor; it is imperative to a peaceful Yemen. As these young leaders engage more deeply in local peace processes and advocacy, they contribute to a broader societal shift towards stability and peace. Their participation ensures that peace efforts are inclusive and reflective of their needs. These activities were made possible thanks to generous support from the European Union, Germany, and Norway.
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Story
04 July 2024
UNICEF Yemen: Ensuring a safe environment for vulnerable children in Yemen
To protect children from various forms of harm, UNICEF has implemented a set of initiatives to create a safe and nurturing environment in Amran City. These initiatives were created to target children who experience child labor, children who have been separated from their families, and children who have dropped out of school, regardless of whether they are IDPs or from the host community.“The activities undertaken within the Case Management and l Psychosocial support project, involve various activities. This includes the establishment of children-friendly spaces designed to protect and facilitate children’s participation in a diverse range of psychosocial support activities including recreational, art, sport, counseling, vulnerability identification and referral activities,” says Faris Saleh Al-Qusaili, The Child Protection Project Coordinator and an employee at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Amran.“In addition, there are activities that aim to economically empower adolescent girls and women through vocational training in sewing, accessory making, and the production of fragrances and perfumes,” adds Faris Saleh. 7,500 children received psychosocial support by participating in different activities in the friendly space supported by this programme at the Community Centre in Amran City.“The psychosocial support activities aim to identify cases of children suffering from trauma, cumulative psychological stress/disorder and to help them overcome it,"Weam Omer Saeed Al-Absi, a facilitator at the children-friendly space in Amran City As part of the psychological support programme, a vocational training was provided to women living at Al-Tarbeeah IDPs camp to help them earn an income for themselves and provide for their children and families.Fatima Saeed, a 20-year-old who lives in the Baker IDP camp, was trained in perfume making and managed to sell her products to support her family who live in a difficult situation.“After one week of the training, I began work. I bought three mixtures to begin, a mixture of perfumed cream and two perfume mixtures. This training lasted for three weeks. During training, my brother was ill. I began working and selling perfumes to buy him medicine.”Fatima Saeed The training targeted IDPs‘widows, and mothers who are the sole providers for their children and families. The products they learned to make during the training sessions are in high demanding the local market which makes it easier for these women to sell.One of the main objectives of the training is to support women to bear the costs of education for their children. “One of the women learned the art of incense making and has benefited greatly from the training. Now, she is not only able to send her child to school but also provide for her family through the products she makes and sells,” says Mona Mohammed Saleh, a 38-year-old trainer who works at the Community Centre for Child Protection and Family Guidance in Amran city. Women showcase their newly acquired sewing skills through the production of various clothes and dresses. Not only do these accessories serve as a source of income for the women, but they also symbolize empowerment and resilience in the face of displacement and disability.“The training includes all kinds of sewing, including women's and kids’ clothes, as well as robes. We trained around 140 trainees, including disabled, to protect families.”Yousra Sinan Saleh, sewing trainer The Family Protective Centre in Amran, Yemen, offers integrated protection and other complimentary services to children and women in Al-Tarbeeah IDPs camp. This centre offers a beacon of light amid the challenging environment of IDPs, offering essential services that safeguard their rights and well-being.This centre is supported by UNICEF and funded by Sweden.
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01 July 2024
IOM Yemen: Rescue at Sea: The Unwavering Courage of a Yemeni Doctor
Shabwah, Yemen A boat carrying 260 migrants capsized off Yemen’s coast near Shabwah, resulting in 56 confirmed deaths, with 129 individuals still missing.Abdulraheem Al Mehdar, a dedicated doctor with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and leader of the mobile medical team in Shabwah for the last eight years, bravely joined the rescue operations in the water to help those fighting for survival.Abdulraheem recounted his team’s tireless efforts to save lives and support survivors, all while grappling with the personal impact of this tragedy and haunted by memories of a similar event. “In 2019, strong winds caused a boat to capsize off Shabwah, resulting in the tragic loss of over 150 migrants, with only one survivor. I was the first person he encountered on the shore after enduring 24 harrowing hours at sea.The survivor recounted how he was travelling with his wife holding their two-month-old baby, while he clung to their two sons, aged two and five, one in each arm. Suddenly, the weather took a turn for the worse, and his wife and baby were swept away in an instant.Holding onto his two other children, he felt powerless as the boat eventually capsized. In the midst of battling rough waters, he clung desperately to both children until he realized his younger son had stopped breathing. With a heavy heart, he reluctantly released his grip, forced to let him go. Moments later, as the weather worsened, he faced the heartbreaking decision to also let go of his second son.Though he survived, that event broke him, and me with him.” Race against time“According to survivors of the 10 June 2024 incident, the migrants had been travelling for 24 hours and reached the coast of Shabwah around 3:30 am, approximately 2 nautical miles (2.3 miles / 3.7 km) offshore.At that point, according to the survivors, the smugglers demanded all 260 passengers jump into the sea due to strong winds that were causing the overcrowded boat to take on water and flip over.A local fisherman who was at sea saw the migrants swimming and immediately contacted me, knowing that the mobile medical team would be able to support.We arrived at the scene early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw migrants in the water desperately trying to reach land, as bodies started to wash ashore.Many appeared to be young, aged between 15 and 25, and were now trying to rescue or mourn their companions. The scene was chaotic and harrowing, with people screaming both on the beach and in the water, fighting for their lives for nearly four hours.Accustomed to such tragedies, I promptly contacted the other staff that are part of the mobile medical team and requested additional support from the city.Growing up in Shabwah, both our mobile medical team staff and local fishermen are good swimmers. So, without hesitation, we all jumped into the water to rescue people, supported by the Yemen Coast Guard. There was no time to waste; everyone was focused on saving as many lives as possible.Amid the desperation and chaos, those in the water were terrified and, in their struggle, were inadvertently pulling us under, so we had to approach them from behind to maintain control.” Perilous crossings“Between June and August, it’s the worst season to cross, and we typically see fewer boats. Sometimes, crossing can take up to three days due to the weather conditions.Smugglers are aware of this because as many of them are fishermen themselves, but they still exploit migrants for profit. Despite knowing the risks, migrants also often choose to attempt the crossing anyway.Smugglers typically drop them off near the shore. However, the fear of interceptions by the coast guard or encountering rough weather sometimes compels them to force migrants to abandon the boat further away from the coastline.” Humanitarian response“A second mobile medical team, that operates within a 160-kilometer radius of the incident, arrived shortly after, and together, we provided assistance. Despite the distance, they were on their way as soon as they heard about what had happened, committed to providing support and rotating shifts with the first medical team.The two IOM mobile medical teams supported the 71 survivors with immediate medical and psychological aid. Each team consists of a doctor, psychologist, assistant doctor, and driver.Many of the survivors were in shock, either from the distressing experience of survival or the loss of loved ones, or both. A total of 38 survivors required urgent mental health support.Four additional survivors, who had been swimming throughout the night, were found the following day by a fisherman committed to assisting the group. He had anticipated more migrants would arrive, so he waited on the beach the entire time.The eight migrants needing further medical attention were discharged a few days later and most survivors have since left Shabwah.Despite ongoing efforts, more bodies continue to wash ashore as the days pass.That night, holding my five children tighter, I couldn’t help but think about what would happen if I lost them.The memories of 2019 flood back; I had hoped never to relive that ordeal.Even now, my thoughts often go back to that migrant on the beach. I wonder where he is and what has become of him.”
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Press Release
15 July 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY 2024
The future of humanity and our planet depends on young people. But it also depends on ensuring they have the skills to tackle today’s challenges and shape a more peaceful tomorrow. We know there is a clear link between countries that enjoy high levels of peace, spending on education, and school completion rates. Yet today, almost a quarter of the world’s youth are not in education, employment, or training – with that figure more than twice as high for young women.Meanwhile the financing gap for education in low and middle-income countries stands at a massive 100 billion dollars a year.This year’s World Skills Day shines a spotlight on skills for peace and sustainable development. Around the world, young people are already working to build safer and stronger communities. They can make an even bigger difference for our shared future with training for the burgeoning green and digital economies, education to help break the cycle of hate speech and misinformation, tools to enhance mediation and dialogue, and so much more. Today, and every day, let’s work to transform education.And let’s ensure that youth have what they need to build skills for shaping a more peaceful, sustainable future for all. ***
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Press Release
16 July 2024
UNICEF Yemen & WHO Yemen - Second round of polio vaccination campaign to reach 1.3 million children in 12 governorates of Yemen
Aden, Yemen — July 15, 2024More than 1.3 million children aged under five years will receive oral polio vaccines through the second round of a vaccination campaign from 15 to 17 July 2024 in 12 governorates of Yemen. Launched today by Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the campaign aims to stop further spread of the ongoing outbreak of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Children will also receive vitamin A supplements to boost their natural immunity against diseases during this campaign.The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) campaign will target 1.3 million children in 120 districts in the 12 southern governorates. Around 9000 health workers, including supervisors and social mobilizers, were trained to cover 1 million households, through the house-to-house vaccination campaign. This is the second vaccination campaign in response to the outbreak of cVDPV2 which has paralysed 257 children in Yemen to date.“This campaign is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to stop the ongoing outbreak of polio and prevent further spread of this disease that can cause lifelong paralysis in children," said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen.Polio infection can result in permanent, debilitating paralysis. It has no known cure but can easily be prevented through vaccination. “Vaccination is the only way to prevent children from contracting polio. It is not just an investment in the well-being of vulnerable children but also its economy and the future of the country. By joining hands with the government, religious leaders, donors, media, frontline workers, communities and parents, we will continue our fight to end vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.The first round of the campaign successfully reached 1.3 million children with nOPV2 in the southern governorates in February 2024. WHO and UNICEF Yemen are collaborating closely with the Yemeni government, partners, and communities to ensure this campaign reaches every child possible to boost their immunity against polio. By combining their efforts and resources, WHO and UNICEF aim to increase vaccine coverage, safeguard vulnerable populations, and ultimately bring an end to polio in Yemen. This campaign is made possible through the generous support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), reaffirming the global commitment to a polio-free world. ###Media contactsUNICEF Yemen CommunicationsEmail: yemenmedia@unicef.orgWHO Yemen CommunicationsEmail: mediayemen@who.intAbout 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 and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen.Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 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.
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Press Release
14 July 2024
UN and High-Level Yemeni Officials Meet in Aden, Discuss Challenges Facing Humanitarian and Development Efforts in Yemen
Aden, 14 July 2024-Today, the Yemeni Minister of Information, Mr. Moammar Al-Eryani accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Mohsen Al-Daeri and the Governor of Hadramout, Mr. Mabkhoot Bin Mubarak Bin Madhi hosted a lunch at AlMasheeq Palace for the heads of UN agency offices in Aden, led by the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen. During the lunch, they discussed a wide range of issues, including the dire economic situation in Yemen and the challenges facing humanitarian and development efforts in the country. They emphasized the importance of preserving life-saving activities and ensuring the safety of UN personnel and their partners. END***
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Press Release
11 July 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR WORLD POPULATION DAY 2024
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. It must also be the year we resolve to accelerate efforts and investments to turn its promises into a reality. Central to the ICPD Programme of Action is the recognition that women’s sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are cornerstones of sustainable development. In the decades since it was adopted, we have made progress. More women than ever have access to modern contraception. Maternal deaths have fallen thirty-four per cent since the year 2000. The women’s movements and civil society have been critical to driving change. But progress has been unequal and unsteady. It is outrageous that well into the 21st century, around 800 women die needlessly every day in pregnancy and childbirth – the vast majority in developing countries. And in some places, legislative advances in tackling vital issues such as female genital mutilation risk going into reverse. As the theme of this year’s World Population Day reminds us, investing in data collection is important to understanding problems, tailoring solutions, and driving progress. So is finance. I urge countries to make the most of the Summit of the Future this year to unleash affordable capital for sustainable development. Let’s deliver on the ICPD Programme of Action for everyone, everywhere.***
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Press Release
26 June 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING
Drugs are at the root of immeasurable human suffering. Drug use eats away at people’s health and wellbeing. Overdoses claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Meanwhile, synthetic drugs are becoming more lethal and addictive, and the illicit drug market is breaking production records, feeding crime and violence in communities around the world. At every turn, the most vulnerable people — including young people — suffer the worst effects of this crisis. People who use drugs and those living with substance abuse disorders are victimized again and again: by the drugs themselves, by stigma and discrimination, and by heavy-handed, inhumane responses to the problem. As this year’s theme reminds us, breaking the cycle of suffering means starting at the beginning, before drugs take hold, by investing in prevention. Evidence-based drug prevention programmes can protect people and communities alike, while taking a bite out of illicit economies that profit from human misery. When I was Prime Minster of Portugal, we demonstrated the value of prevention in fighting this scourge. From rehabilitation and reintegration strategies, to public health education campaigns, to increasing investment in drug-prevention, treatment and harm-reduction measures, prevention pays off. On this important day, let’s recommit to continuing our fight to end the plague of drug abuse and trafficking, once and for all. ***
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