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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
02 May 2024
IOM YEMEN: TRAILBLAZERS OF CARE
Ta’iz, Yemen “Helping vulnerable people makes me feel proud,” explains Olfat, a dedicated Community Health Volunteer (CHV) working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ta’iz. As a mother of two, Olfat finds it difficult to be away from her children for extended periods of time. Nevertheless, she is unwavering in her commitment to volunteering, driven by the profound meaning it holds for her. Olfat’s dedication extends beyond supporting vulnerable populations in remote regions; she also cares for her own daughter, who battles a chronic illness. Through her role as a CHV and the incentive she receives, she is able to secure vital support for her family, ensuring their needs are met. Amidst Yemen’s protracted conflict, the invaluable contribution of community health volunteers like Olfat shines through. With reports indicating that less than half of the country’s health facilities operate at full or partial capacity, and many lack essential equipment to deliver basic services, the role of CHVs becomes crucial. ACCESS STRUGGLESIn the rugged terrain of Ta’iz, access to healthcare often comes at a steep price. These hard-to-reach areas are particularly susceptible to public health risks, with limited access to healthcare facilities exacerbating the population’s vulnerability. In times of illness, community members are burdened with hefty transportation costs to reach distant health centers. Yet, thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Olfat, essential support can now reach the doorstep of those in need, alleviating the burdens placed upon vulnerable communities. “To visit communities, I often have to walk for long distances, sometimes crossing mountains, which can be tough,” Olfat recounts. “However, I know how much this means for those we support and I don’t want to let them down.” COMMUNITY HEALTH CHAMPIONSThe volunteers are instrumental in combating health, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) challenges at the grassroots level in both displaced and host communities, extending essential services to underserved communities beyond the reach of traditional healthcare facilities. Armed with knowledge and compassion, the volunteers – predominantly women – bridge gaps between services, ensuring smooth referrals and identifying those in acute need. In times of crisis, they offer solace and support, providing basic first aid and support for outbreak surveillance. In multiple villages, the lack of access to health services exacerbates common health issues such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea, as well as maternal mortality from anemia, malnutrition, and complications during pregnancy or birth. Volunteers undertake extensive journeys to reach communities in Ta’iz to provide crucial care to pregnant mothers and children and monitor their health. Working closely with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population and local health offices, the overarching aim of the CHV initiative is to provide basic health services, enhance community health literacy, and foster connections between communities and formal healthcare facilities, promoting proactive health-seeking behaviours. SERVING BEYOND CIRCUMSTANCESLike Olfat, Khulood is another volunteer who has shown reliable support for displaced communities. Even before the outbreak of conflict, she had exhibited a fervent passion for education and community service, having worked as a literacy teacher during her high school years and later as a teacher at a local school. When war broke out in various areas of Ta’iz, Khulood took it upon herself to support vulnerable communities. “One of the most difficult issues we faced was the reluctance of some residents to allow our team into their homes,” recalls the twenty-five-year-old. “However, through our regular visits to the village, we gradually earned the trust of the community, and they are now happy to see us.” Despite the harsh circumstances in Yemen, which have made life more challenging for Khulood, her family, and countless others, she decided to volunteer as a health worker. A community member herself, Khulood understands quite well how challenging access to health care can be. “At the beginning of my experience as a volunteer, I had to trek along the mountain road for about an hour to reach the public transportation that took me to the village where I volunteered,” Khulood recounts.“I felt a sense of happiness in walking that long, knowing that I was on my way to help others.”
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Story
02 May 2024
UNDP Yemen: Towards a sustainable catch: supporting Yemen’s tuna industry
In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly designated May 2 as World Tuna Day to advocate for the importance of conservation management of tuna fish and to ensure that systems are set in place to prevent tuna stocks from declining. Many countries across the world, including Yemen, depend on tuna resources for food security and nutrition, economic development, employment, and livelihoods. However, the high market demand for tuna fish coupled with the global climate crisis and the limited access to tuna preservation equipment is leading to depletion in its stocks, consequently increasing the price of this household staple. In Yemen, fisherfolk face additional hurdles as a result of the dire economic and security situation. For many, borrowing money for fuel is the only way in which they can take their boats out for fishing. Additionally, they face access restrictions in fishing areas that hinder them from fishing beyond certain points in the water, which impedes their ability to catch a bigger volume of fish. As a high-value fish, tuna is an important source of income for fisherfolk. By preserving it, they can store their catch for longer periods, ensuring steady income and a stable food supply, even during times of scarcity. Meet Rania Al Ghrabi. She is a Fish and Food Technology graduate hailing from Hadhramaut. Equipped with essential skills, knowledge, and grants through UNDP's Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY) Project, she is among the women in Aden and Hadramout who have ventured to create their own canned tuna production businesses at home. Reflecting on her journey, Rania emphasizes the impact of the technical training she and 40 other women received through the SIERY Project. "Following the technical training we received, we learned to can and flavor tuna," she shares. "The flavors of tuna that we produce are very popular in the markets where we sell our products."
Rania's story resonates with many women in Yemen's coastal regions, who have found empowerment and economic agency through the fish industry. However, one of the main challenges she and other women in this field face include limited knowledge of financial management. To bridge these knowledge gaps, UNDP offered specific trainings in Aden and Hadhramaut focused on business continuity management, finance, accounting and marketing. “The financial management training helped us overcome so many challenges,” reflects Rania. Undeterred, Rania refers to her endeavor as 'My Family Project,' highlighting the collective effort involved and the transfer of acquired skills and knowledge to her family. “A year from now, I hope to start my own trademark,” shares Rania. As part of the trainings, participants took part in an exposure and exchange visit to Hadhramaut, where they had the opportunity to learn from one of Yemen's top fish associations about effective association management from a business operations lens. This included insights on managing sales, generating income and revenues, budgeting, maintaining quality standards, and marketing. Additionally, the participants learned from tuna factory owners about supply chain processes.While most of the women were provided with grants to start their own small tuna canning businesses at home following the training, Foqom Women’s Tuna Association was supported to establish a tuna canning factory in Aden.As the tuna factory nears completion, it stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable economic development in Yemen's coastal communities. Equipped with machinery that adheres to stringent quality assurance standards, the factory is poised to contribute significantly to the local economy while ensuring the responsible utilization of marine resources.This activity was made possible thanks to generous funding from the European Union.
Rania's story resonates with many women in Yemen's coastal regions, who have found empowerment and economic agency through the fish industry. However, one of the main challenges she and other women in this field face include limited knowledge of financial management. To bridge these knowledge gaps, UNDP offered specific trainings in Aden and Hadhramaut focused on business continuity management, finance, accounting and marketing. “The financial management training helped us overcome so many challenges,” reflects Rania. Undeterred, Rania refers to her endeavor as 'My Family Project,' highlighting the collective effort involved and the transfer of acquired skills and knowledge to her family. “A year from now, I hope to start my own trademark,” shares Rania. As part of the trainings, participants took part in an exposure and exchange visit to Hadhramaut, where they had the opportunity to learn from one of Yemen's top fish associations about effective association management from a business operations lens. This included insights on managing sales, generating income and revenues, budgeting, maintaining quality standards, and marketing. Additionally, the participants learned from tuna factory owners about supply chain processes.While most of the women were provided with grants to start their own small tuna canning businesses at home following the training, Foqom Women’s Tuna Association was supported to establish a tuna canning factory in Aden.As the tuna factory nears completion, it stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable economic development in Yemen's coastal communities. Equipped with machinery that adheres to stringent quality assurance standards, the factory is poised to contribute significantly to the local economy while ensuring the responsible utilization of marine resources.This activity was made possible thanks to generous funding from the European Union.
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21 April 2024
UNICEF Yemen: Empowering Yemen's Displaced: Securing Birth Certificates to Access Education
According to the latest data from UNICEF, 4.5 million people in Yemen are now internally displaced. Those are families who had to flee their homes due to the long-lasting military conflict in the country.Today, those people mainly live in internally displaced camps, located in remote areas scattered around Yemen.One of the main challenges those people face is the lack of valid documents, especially children`s birth certificates, making it extremely hard to keep track of those who need support, distribute supplies, and build functioning social systems when the country is already weakened tremendously by the war.“My children don’t have any birth certificates because our lives were ruined by war and displacement,” says Nora Abdullah Mohsen Rabwan, a mother of four, who now lives in one of the displacement camps in Marib. “We lost the documents when we had to flee and couldn’t get birth certificates for children because we now live far from the Department of Civil Status,” she explains.“It is true that many parents don’t get birth certificates for their children because they live in remote areas and traveling to places where such documents can be issued is too expensive and even dangerous nowadays,” says Abeer Naji Mohammed, supervisor of the accelerated education centres, which were established, among other facilities, to build temporary classrooms in displaced people’s camps. “Many of them also cannot afford the fees for those documents, and that is why it is a great relief that UNICEF covers those fees and helps families get those important documents.”Above everything else, a birth certificate is an essential document that allows one to enroll a child in school. According to the 2023 Yemen Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, one out of every four children of basic school age is out of school today, a difficult situation which makes Yemeni children vulnerable to exploitation, crime, human trafficking, and other hostile scenarios. “In the displacement camps, we sometimes see children who have been out of school for over four years,” says Mushhira Saleh Al-Hejazi, a supervisor in the Accelerated Learning Programme supported by UNICEF and funded by the European Union at Al-Nasr School. “Many of those children were deprived of the opportunity to attend school precisely because they had no birth certificates.”Mushira and her colleague Abeer added that the accelerated education centres target the most vulnerable children, helping them return to classrooms even after several years of being out of school.“In Al-Sumaia Camp and Al-Nasr School, the programme has targeted about 250 children. They all now have birth certificates,” says Mushhira. “Before the programme, half of those children were out of school. Now we managed to involve 420 children in the camp in three learning phases. It is a great achievement, and we are very grateful to all the people affiliated with the programme for making it possible.”“Our children, who had to leave school due to displacement, got remedial education and caught up with their studies,” says Nora, who now lives with her family in one of the displacement camps. “With those birth certificates, we can now issue ID cards for our children, along with many other things,” she addsA birth certificate is the first and probably one of the most important documents in a person’s life. It gives access to fundamental rights such as education and qualified healthcare, makes a child officially “visible.” This helps the authorities to provide support to children and parents and address challenges they face during the difficult time Yemen faces today. Today UNICEF and partners help families from internally displaced camps in Yemen obtain birth certificates and return their children to schools. The accelerated education centers, do not just help children catch up with their education, but also provide Mine Risk Education and Psychological Support training sessions.All these are ultimate lifesavers for the regions that suffer from the remnants of war and other brutal consequences of a long-lasting military conflict. Together they give the war-torn country hope for a bright, stable, and peaceful future, breathing life into once abandoned classrooms and desperate hearts.
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19 April 2024
UNOPS YEMEN: FINDING LIGHT AMID YEMEN’S DARKEST TIMES
Well into its fifth year of conflict, the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to worsen. In mid-2020, around 24 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance – representing 80 per cent of the population. Over 3.5 million people have been displaced from their homes while over 19 million people lack access to basic health services.
Throughout the country, the provision of public services, such as electricity, have come to a virtual standstill. Long-lasting power outages have crippled development efforts, wreaking havoc on other critical services such as education, water and sanitation, and healthcare. Today, with only 10 per cent of the country connected to the public electricity grid, a large majority of the population is deprived of reliable access to electricity.
Ibrahim Saleh, originally from the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen, left his children behind and migrated north to the Wesab District in the Dhamar Governorate in search of work. “We suffered from a lot of things: the high prices, the embargo […] at night we struggled with darkness. There was no electricity,” describes Ibrahim. Ibrahim is just one of millions who lived in darkness as soon as the sun set. I used to leave home in the morning and return in the evening. I entered the room but it was too dark to see. It was part of our struggle […] We used to sleep, drink and eat in the dark.Ibrahim Saleh - A resident of Wesab District, Dhamar Governorate In an effort to relieve the ongoing crisis, UNOPS partnered with the World Bank to restore access to critical urban services in selected cities across Yemen. Restoring key services – including energy, water and sanitation, transportation and waste management – is critical to improving health, basic living conditions and local economic activity.
The two organizations are working with local implementing partners to provide off-grid solar electricity solutions for schools, hospitals, streets and households. “This [solar] project offered a radical solution to our electricity crisis, allowing us to offer quality services to women, as now the hospital is operational 24 hours,” says Dr. Chafih. “We can also perform major and regular cesarean sections.”
At home, solar panels and light installations helped ease Ibrahim immediately. “I felt secure and relieved. I could turn the light on and see what was around me […] I can read […] cook my dinner and eat comfortably,” he says. In addition to working with three local implementing partners, UNOPS is engaging with local authorities, institutions and communities to facilitate local ownership and promote sustainability. Citizens, especially women, have a voice in identifying projects. Decisions on the most pressing needs are made at the community level.
By restoring critical services while simultaneously rebuilding local capacity, up to 1.4 million Yemenis are expected to benefit from improved services and living conditions.“We are proud to support the World Bank to revitalize critical urban services in cities across Yemen and improve living conditions for people in need,” says Bana Kaloti, UNOPS Regional Director for the Middle East. Project detailsIn an effort to relieve the ongoing crisis, UNOPS, with funding from the World Bank, is working to restore access to critical services through two projects. The Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency ProjectFinanced by a $150 million grant from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), UNOPS developed an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to service delivery to restore access to critical urban services in select cities across Yemen. The three-year project aims to restore access to critical urban services for 1.4 million beneficiaries. This includes providing solar power solutions to more than 70 health facilities, 80 schools and 100 water facilities; rehabilitating 400 kilometres of roads; installing and operating LED street lights; and improving waste management services. The project will create 1.5 million days of temporary employment. As part of the COVID-19 emergency response components added to both projects, the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project quickly facilitated the delivery of equipment, tools, infrastructure and personal protective equipment to support Yemen’s fight against COVID-19.The Yemen Emergency Electricity Access ProjectWith a $50 million grant from the IDA, UNOPS is working to restore electricity supply to 1.3 million Yemenis, including 200,000 households, 220 health facilities, 280 schools and 40 potable water wells.The three-year project will finance distributed solar solutions to provide urgently needed access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas in Yemen. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local private sector, including microfinance institutions, and solar equipment suppliers and installers. Implemented in collaboration with other UN agencies as part of a broader coordinated COVID-19 response in Yemen, the Contingency Emergency Response Component was added to the project in mid-2020 to help fast-track access to electricity, so essential lifesaving services can continue. For more information on our projects in Yemen, please visit https://ye.unopsmr.org/
Throughout the country, the provision of public services, such as electricity, have come to a virtual standstill. Long-lasting power outages have crippled development efforts, wreaking havoc on other critical services such as education, water and sanitation, and healthcare. Today, with only 10 per cent of the country connected to the public electricity grid, a large majority of the population is deprived of reliable access to electricity.
Ibrahim Saleh, originally from the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen, left his children behind and migrated north to the Wesab District in the Dhamar Governorate in search of work. “We suffered from a lot of things: the high prices, the embargo […] at night we struggled with darkness. There was no electricity,” describes Ibrahim. Ibrahim is just one of millions who lived in darkness as soon as the sun set. I used to leave home in the morning and return in the evening. I entered the room but it was too dark to see. It was part of our struggle […] We used to sleep, drink and eat in the dark.Ibrahim Saleh - A resident of Wesab District, Dhamar Governorate In an effort to relieve the ongoing crisis, UNOPS partnered with the World Bank to restore access to critical urban services in selected cities across Yemen. Restoring key services – including energy, water and sanitation, transportation and waste management – is critical to improving health, basic living conditions and local economic activity.
The two organizations are working with local implementing partners to provide off-grid solar electricity solutions for schools, hospitals, streets and households. “This [solar] project offered a radical solution to our electricity crisis, allowing us to offer quality services to women, as now the hospital is operational 24 hours,” says Dr. Chafih. “We can also perform major and regular cesarean sections.”
At home, solar panels and light installations helped ease Ibrahim immediately. “I felt secure and relieved. I could turn the light on and see what was around me […] I can read […] cook my dinner and eat comfortably,” he says. In addition to working with three local implementing partners, UNOPS is engaging with local authorities, institutions and communities to facilitate local ownership and promote sustainability. Citizens, especially women, have a voice in identifying projects. Decisions on the most pressing needs are made at the community level.
By restoring critical services while simultaneously rebuilding local capacity, up to 1.4 million Yemenis are expected to benefit from improved services and living conditions.“We are proud to support the World Bank to revitalize critical urban services in cities across Yemen and improve living conditions for people in need,” says Bana Kaloti, UNOPS Regional Director for the Middle East. Project detailsIn an effort to relieve the ongoing crisis, UNOPS, with funding from the World Bank, is working to restore access to critical services through two projects. The Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency ProjectFinanced by a $150 million grant from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), UNOPS developed an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to service delivery to restore access to critical urban services in select cities across Yemen. The three-year project aims to restore access to critical urban services for 1.4 million beneficiaries. This includes providing solar power solutions to more than 70 health facilities, 80 schools and 100 water facilities; rehabilitating 400 kilometres of roads; installing and operating LED street lights; and improving waste management services. The project will create 1.5 million days of temporary employment. As part of the COVID-19 emergency response components added to both projects, the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project quickly facilitated the delivery of equipment, tools, infrastructure and personal protective equipment to support Yemen’s fight against COVID-19.The Yemen Emergency Electricity Access ProjectWith a $50 million grant from the IDA, UNOPS is working to restore electricity supply to 1.3 million Yemenis, including 200,000 households, 220 health facilities, 280 schools and 40 potable water wells.The three-year project will finance distributed solar solutions to provide urgently needed access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas in Yemen. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local private sector, including microfinance institutions, and solar equipment suppliers and installers. Implemented in collaboration with other UN agencies as part of a broader coordinated COVID-19 response in Yemen, the Contingency Emergency Response Component was added to the project in mid-2020 to help fast-track access to electricity, so essential lifesaving services can continue. For more information on our projects in Yemen, please visit https://ye.unopsmr.org/
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15 April 2024
UNDP Yemen: Water Resilience: Al Mazariqah's Journey from Devastation to Prosperity
The village of Al Mazariqah, situated in Bajel District, Hodeidah Governorate, Yemen, provides a remarkable example of human resilience and the power of community. Recently, this farming neighborhood was severely impacted by frequent flooding and damage to an irrigation canal essential for watering crops. This drastically affected the village's ability to farm using traditional methods, leaving farmers in a desperate search for solutions to preserve their agricultural lands and maintain their way of life. "Last year hit us really hard," remembers Ibrahim Omar, a farmer from Al Mazariqah, who, along with his neighbors, was affected by the flooding. "What we worked for, our dreams vanished with the floods. It felt like we were always on the losing side." The damage was catastrophic, wiping out farms, tearing down trees, and ruining crops. To survive, the villagers built temporary canals, but these too were swept away by the next wave of flooding. Through the ERRY III Joint Programme, financed by the European Union and the Government of Sweden, facilitated through the World Food Programme's Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), alongside local organization Benaa Foundation, a comprehensive project to rejuvenate the village's irrigation canal was initiated. Three kilometers of the canal were identified for rehabilitation, with an aim to ensure the agricultural prosperity of Al Mazariqah. The Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) programme provides food or cash to participants in return for their work on projects like this one, which are designed to improve community infrastructure and support long-term food security. "We dedicated 60 days to the canal, working alongside community members," shares Ali Bin Ali, an FFA participant. “The work we did together was not just about restoring the canal but about rebuilding lives, providing immediate financial support, and securing long-term agricultural stability.”The project's success surpassed expectations. A new water gate now stands tall, regulating the water flow into a canal that has been both widened and deepened. Protective walls and paved sections ensure the canal's resilience, safeguarding nearby agricultural lands and the future of Al Mazariqah's farms. "The restoration has been a lifeline," says Ahmed Salem, a local farmer. "Where floods once brought ruin, we now see harvests." This sentiment echoes throughout the community, as local resident Ibrahim Omar reflects on a past filled with difficulty. "We suffered a lot," Ibrahim shares. With the canal's restoration, a new chapter of growth and resilience has begun. "Now, our crops thrive, and our children have hope," Ibrahim notes, highlighting a significant boost in crop production. Ibrahim's plans to further enlarge and enhance the canal reflect a collective renewal of faith in communal agricultural practices.As Ibrahim looks out over his thriving fields, he sees more than just sorghum and corn; he sees a future where water is no longer a source of fear but a foundation for growth. "This canal is our promise to the future," he declares, a promise made possible by a community united against adversity. The successful restoration of Al Mazariqah’s irrigation system not only underscores the tangible benefits of cooperation but also highlights the community’s resilience, setting a vibrant example of how joint efforts can rebuild and enrich communities facing adversity. The ERRY III Joint Programme, through efforts by the United Nations Development Programme, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and International Labor Organization, with support from the European Union and Government of Sweden, demonstrates the impact of collective action towards improving livelihoods, ensuring food security, and strengthening community resilience in Yemen.
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Press Release
30 April 2024
IOM Equips Two Health Centres in Sana’a to Boost Essential Healthcare Support
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently provided crucial assistance to two major health facilities in Sana’a. Funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), this intervention aims to improve access to healthcare for over 200,000 people residing near Hani Tawamr Hospital in Maeen District and Bani Hawat Health Centre in Bani Al-Harith District.One of the two health facilities supported is Hani Tawamr Hospital, which was recently designated by the Ministry of Public Health as a Diarrhoea Treatment Centre (DTC) to address the cholera outbreak reported across several governorates, including Sana’a. Responding swiftly, IOM significantly expanded its support to the hospital, furnishing the DTC with essential medicines, medical supplies, staff support, and hygiene interventions, greatly enhancing the hospital’s outbreak management capacity.“Reequipping these two health facilities in Sana’a represents a critical step towards addressing the urgent healthcare needs of communities in Yemen,” declared Matt Huber, IOM’s Acting Chief of Mission in Yemen. “By enhancing access to health care services, we aim to alleviate the strain on the healthcare system in conflict-affected areas, ensuring that even amidst adversity, essential medical care remains within reach for those who need it most.”As Yemen enters its tenth year of conflict, the need for healthcare support has become increasingly urgent. Only half of the health facilities are operational, with many facing significant challenges such as staff shortages, insufficient supplies and equipment, financial constraints, and power disruptions due to fuel shortages.An estimated 17.8 million people across the country require medical assistance and access to healthcare services. This dire situation places immense strain on the few functioning healthcare facilities that remain operational amidst the ongoing turmoil.Situated in densely populated areas, the Bani Hawat Health Centre struggles to meet the healthcare needs of some of the most vulnerable populations in the district, including displaced individuals. Prior to IOM’s intervention, this health facility had not received aid from any other organization.Meanwhile, Hani Tawamr Hospital benefited from crucial equipment upgrades and new furnishings, enhancing its capacity to accommodate more patients and deliver quality healthcare services. Earlier this year, a fire broke out at the hospital due to an electrical short circuit, causing damage to the on-site generator and nearby structures. In light of this emergency, IOM promptly provided a replacement power generator, ensuring the hospital’s continued access to electricity.Through the project, both facilities received a comprehensive package including medicines, medical supplies, equipment, furniture, capacity-building for healthcare workers, maintenance support, and staff incentives. These provisions will enable the facilities to deliver essential primary healthcare services to local communities, including medical consultations, free medication, mental health and psychosocial support, and health awareness programmes.This assistance serves as a lifeline, enabling the health facilities to operate fully during two shifts and offer a comprehensive range of services. With the addition of newly recruited medical staff, specialized consultations for childhood and maternal healthcare needs became available, alleviating the strain on public hospitals due to overcrowding. For more information, please contact:Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer, mchiriac@iom.intIOM Yemen’s Communications Team, iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int
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Press Release
22 April 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY
Humanity is acting like Mother Earth’s delinquent child. We depend on nature for the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. Yet, we have brought chaos to the natural world: poisoning our planet with pollution, wiping out species and ecosystems with abandon, and destabilising our climate with greenhouse gas emissions. These actions harm nature, and they harm humanity. We are imperilling food production, polluting our ocean and air, creating a more dangerous, less stable environment, and holding back sustainable development. Together, we must restore harmony with nature, embrace sustainable production and consumption, and protect ourselves from harm – creating jobs, reducing poverty and driving sustainable development as we do so. That means slamming the brakes on biodiversity loss, putting a stop to pollution, and slashing greenhouse gas emissions globally. It means supporting Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and others being hit hardest by the pollution, climate and biodiversity crises. It means delivering climate justice to countries on the frontline of climate chaos, and swiftly mobilising the finance and support countries need to act on climate, protect nature and promote sustainable development. Countries must produce new national climate plans that align with limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. These can double as national transition plans and national investment plans, underpinning sustainable development for generations to come. And the G20 must lead a fast, fair and funded global phaseout of fossil fuels, and put a stop to nature-wrecking subsidies, such as those that underwrite runaway production of planet-choking plastics. Repairing relations with Mother Earth is the mother of all of humanity’s challenges. We must act – and act now – to create a better future for us all. ***
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Press Release
07 April 2024
WHO Yemen: The right to health: WHO works to bridge health divide in Yemen
All people have the right to health. And no matter where they live, they should be able to access and afford quality health care when they need it. The prolonged conflict in Yemen has left half of the population in need of health aid .Vulnerable groups continue to bear the brunt of the crisis. Such groups include internally displaced people, children, women, elderly people, people with disabilities and mental health conditions, marginalized communities, and people affected by conflict-related injuries.“The challenges that people in Yemen have to face cannot be described. Children who are referred to nutrition wards are only there because of prolonged starvation. The health system is fragile and faces difficulty in meeting the increasing demands,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen. “I feel for all the parents and caregivers who have to see their children getting ill in front of their eyes.”Yemen faces a double burden of disease and armed conflict, and 17.8 million people in the country require health assistance. Of this number, 24% are women, who need access to diverse medical and reproductive health services. Children account for 50% of those in need, including 540 000 children aged under 5 years who require life-saving treatment for severe wasting – 10% of whom have severe acute malnutrition with medical complications and need highly specialized inpatient care. Inequalities are revealed in the high levels of malnutrition among mothers and children. Undernutrition remains a major public health crisis .The multihazard risk profile for Yemen, the development of which WHO has supported, identifies 6 priority hazards with a high likelihood and potentially high public health impact: armed conflict, cholera, dengue, floods and cyclones, malaria and measles.As the world marks the 76th World Health Day, WHO continues to support the health authorities to address the gaps, all the while working to strengthen the health system amid the conflict.Through strong partnerships in 2023, WHO supported 245 health facilities to remain functional, providing 6.4 million outpatient consultations and reaching about 2.5 million people. Some 1.2 million children aged under 5 years were vaccinated against polio and another 1.1 million children (aged 6 months–4 years) were vaccinated against measles.In addition, 4000 tonnes of medicines, equipment, medical furniture, information technology devices and other health technologies worth US$ 42.63 million in total were distributed to 470 health facilities across Yemen.“Every number reflects a positive impact on people’s lives. These are men, women and children who were provided with life-saving services and were not turned away,” said Dr Pesigan. “A multisectoral approach is needed today to promote health and well-being while addressing determinants of health and risk factors. But if this is not combined with peace, true development may be difficult to achieve. Through peace, Yemen can start to heal.”Media contactsWHO Yemen Communications
Email: mediayemen@who.intAbout 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.
Email: mediayemen@who.intAbout 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
07 April 2024
Six months on, the war in Gaza is a betrayal of humanity
(New York, 6 April 2024) We have arrived at a terrible milestone. For the people of Gaza, the past six months of war have brought death, devastation and now the immediate prospect of a shameful man-made famine. For the people affected by the lasting horror of the 7 October attacks, it has been six months of grief and torment. Each day, this war claims more civilian victims. Every second that it continues sows the seeds of a future so deeply obscured by this relentless conflict. As I and many others have said repeatedly, the end of this war is so long overdue. Instead, we face the unconscionable prospect of further escalation in Gaza, where no one is safe and there is nowhere safe to go. An already fragile aid operation continues to be undermined by bombardments, insecurity and denials of access. Rarely has there been such global outrage at the toll of conflict, with seemingly so little done to end it and instead so much impunity. On this day, my heart goes out to the families of those killed, injured or taken hostage, and to those who face the particular suffering of not knowing the plight of their loved ones. It is not enough for six months of war to be a moment of remembrance and mourning – it must also spur a collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity. Media contactS: In New York: Eri Kaneko, kaneko@un.org, +1 917 208 8910 OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int
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Press Release
04 April 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MINE AWARENESS & ASSISTANCE IN MINE ACTION
Landmines and explosive ordnance and remnants of war directly threaten millions of people caught up in armed conflicts around the world — from Afghanistan to Myanmar to Sudan to Ukraine to Colombia to Gaza.Even after the fighting ends, these deadly devices can contaminate communities for decades to come, posing a daily and deadly danger to women, men and children alike, and blocking vital humanitarian and development assistance. The brave mine action personnel of the United Nations work with partners to remove these deadly weapons, ensure that people can travel safely in their communities, and provide education and threat assessments to keep people and humanitarian workers safe.This year’s theme — Protecting Lives, Building Peace — reminds us of the need to safeguard those at particular risk, including people living with disabilities. I also call on Member States to support the United Nations Mine Action Strategy, and ratify and fully implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Country by country, community by community, let’s rid the world of these weapons, once and for all.
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