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28 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON WORLD MARITIME DAY
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27 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY “Tourism and green investment”
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26 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE TOTAL ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
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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
19 April 2023
UN YEMEN COUNTRY RESULTS REPORT 2022
Yemen has been embroiled in an eight-yearlong armed conflict that has resulted in increased economic turmoil, human displacement, infrastructure damage, and widespread suffering.
By the end of the year, more than two-thirds of Yemen’s population (21.6 million people, including 12.9 million children) required humanitarian assistance, whilst an estimated 4.5 million people, including 2 million children - 14% of the population, were internally displaced.
The conflict has divided the country, exacerbated poverty, crippled the economy, destroyed critical infrastructure and livelihoods, and weakened the population’s and institutions’ resilience and capacities. More than USD 25 billion would be required for recovery and reconstruction.
The governance system is weak and fragmented, with tense central-subnational relations and competing policies. Political bureaucracy and interference by conflict parties hampered UN operations on the ground, causing costly delays, increasing the risk of security threats to staff and implementing partners, and limiting female staff mobility.
Citizens’ trust in institutions was eroded, resulting in macroeconomic instability and suboptimal service delivery, which exacerbated the conditions of the most vulnerable groups.
The crisis has had a particularly negative impact on progress towards the 2030 Agenda, with both humanitarian and development needs increasing, making it difficult to prioritise programming strategies and secure critical funds. Yemen is ranked 183 out of 191 countries in the Human Development Index with a score of 0.455 in 2021/2022.
By the end of the year, more than two-thirds of Yemen’s population (21.6 million people, including 12.9 million children) required humanitarian assistance, whilst an estimated 4.5 million people, including 2 million children - 14% of the population, were internally displaced.
The conflict has divided the country, exacerbated poverty, crippled the economy, destroyed critical infrastructure and livelihoods, and weakened the population’s and institutions’ resilience and capacities. More than USD 25 billion would be required for recovery and reconstruction.
The governance system is weak and fragmented, with tense central-subnational relations and competing policies. Political bureaucracy and interference by conflict parties hampered UN operations on the ground, causing costly delays, increasing the risk of security threats to staff and implementing partners, and limiting female staff mobility.
Citizens’ trust in institutions was eroded, resulting in macroeconomic instability and suboptimal service delivery, which exacerbated the conditions of the most vulnerable groups.
The crisis has had a particularly negative impact on progress towards the 2030 Agenda, with both humanitarian and development needs increasing, making it difficult to prioritise programming strategies and secure critical funds. Yemen is ranked 183 out of 191 countries in the Human Development Index with a score of 0.455 in 2021/2022.
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Press Release
26 May 2023
Joint News Release: Conflict and economic crisis drive food insecurity and malnutrition in Yemen
In a new Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis on Yemen released today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that, despite the slight improvements, nearly all districts under the control of the GoY were assessed to be facing high levels of food insecurity.
Yemen remains one of the most food insecure countries globally, mainly driven by the impact of conflict and economic decline, the three UN agencies added.
The report shows that Yemen continues to require attention, with hunger stalking millions of people and the situation could worsen if nothing is done to address the key drivers of food insecurity in the Middle Eastern country.
Despite modest improvements, second half of 2023 needs more investment
Today’s report showed that between January and May 2023, about 3.2 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in the GoY areas, and these are classified in severe food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above), representing a 23 percent reduction from the October – December 2022 estimates.
Additionally, the number of people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) almost halved to 781,000 compared to the estimates for the last quarter of 2022.
The three UN agencies warned that these modest improvements were only a ‘temporary reprieve’ as the key drivers of food insecurity remain and are projected to worsen during the period June to December 2023.
The IPC report projected a 20 percent increase in the number of people facing IPC Phase 3 and above (638,500 additional people) during the June to December period. The number of people likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) is estimated to increase to 3.9 million (41 percent), out of which 2.8 million people are estimated to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and 1.1 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).
The situation is likely to be compounded by a 20 percent decrease in humanitarian food assistance levels and the anticipated increase in food prices. While there has been a relative calm, sporadic fighting may continue in the frontline districts which further impacts food security.
Children and pregnant and lactating mothers facing acute malnutrition
As acute malnutrition continues to worsen in southern governorates, it is estimated that in 2023, half a million children will be acutely malnourished, including nearly 100,000 children who are likely to be severely malnourished. It is also estimated that up to a quarter million pregnant and lactating women (PLW) will be acutely malnourished, while child stunting levels are also very high, ranging from 35.9 percent in Abyan Lowland to 64.3 percent in Hodeida Southern Lowland.
Critical situations of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 4) persist in some parts of the southern areas. The area-level classification is expected to deteriorate further during the projection period for acute malnutrition with all 16 zones of southern governorates being classified in IPC AMN phases 3 (Serious) and above, including seven zones in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical).
David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said: “The United Nations and its partners made strides in rolling back the worst food insecurity last year, but these gains remain fragile and 17 million people are still food insecure in Yemen. We thank generous donors for commitments made so far but need further support to reach the level of funding received last year to sustain an integrated humanitarian response. With adequate resources, we will reach millions of Yemenis with critical food and nutrition support, clean water, basic health care, protection and other necessities, while building people’s resilience and preparing communities across the country to withstand future shocks.”
“FAO is seized with this situation, and we are working directly with farmers on the ground to enable them to maintain their livelihoods. We make sure that smallholder farmers in Yemen will withstand any shocks which impact food security. As such, our focus, through various interventions, is to improve household food security and income by strengthening agricultural production practices, increasing labour opportunities, and diversifying livelihoods in a sustainable way that fosters peaceful coexistence,” said FAO Yemen Representative, Dr. Hussein Gadain.
UNICEF and partners reached about 420,000 children suffering from severe and acute malnutrition with lifesaving interventions in 2022., This is the highest ever reached in Yemen, thanks to the scale up of nutrition services in 4700 PHC facilities. Despite this, malnutrition levels remain critical in many areas of the Southern Governorates. A multi sectoral approach to address all forms of malnutrition is essential and together with partners UNICEF is strengthening the provision of primary health care, including early detection and treatment of severe acute malnutrition”, said UNICEF Yemen Representative, Peter Hawkins.
“WFP’s assistance is critical for getting people to firmer ground, for averting crisis and famine, for a better future, and we urge our donors to renew their commitment to supporting the most vulnerable Yemenis. Yemen's food insecurity situation remains fragile, and the hard-won gains of the past 12 months will be lost without continued and urgent support from our donors. There are women, men and children behind these IPC statistics, whose lives straddle the fine line between hope and utter devastation. We simply cannot take our foot off the gas now,” said WFP Country Director, Richard Ragan.
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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
23 September 2023
IOM Yemen: Unsung heroes unite for lasting peace
Ongoing peace talks provide a glimpse of hope that a political resolution to the conflict is on the horizon.
However, on International Day of Peace, celebrated annually on 21 September, humanitarian needs remain staggering and the funding to respond insufficient, as recently highlighted by almost 100 aid agencies.
Six months on from the last UN pledging conference for Yemen, only a fraction of what is required to meet the needs of millions has been pledged.
Durable solutions needed
Despite a significant decrease in fighting since last year’s UN-brokered truce, over 4.3 million people remain displaced across the country. Most do not feel safe enough to return home anytime soon and plan to remain in the areas they have settled in for the foreseeable future.
Many are dispersed across hundreds of displacement camps in underdeveloped areas, mainly along the frontlines. Others have sheltered in urban areas or among host communities where social services are more readily available, yet poverty is rife.
In the long term, concrete, durable solutions for displaced communities who have settled in new areas, likely for the long haul, is crucial, according to the UN International Organization for Migration’s (IOM).
It adds that significant investments must be made to allow them to continue this lifesaving work and to promote a more sustainable future and long-term recovery through revitalizing agriculture, education, water systems, and other infrastructure.
Trafficking crisis
Migrants remain some of those most vulnerable to the effects of the crisis. The maritime route migrants take from the Horn of Africa to Yemen is the second busiest in the world.
According to the IOM displacement tracking matrix, an estimated 90,000 migrants – mostly Ethiopian – have arrived on Yemen’s shores in 2023 so far, in the hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia.
Tens of thousands have become stranded. They have traveled too far and gone too deep in debt to turn around, but know the journey ahead is too deadly or costly to continue, according to IOM, whose staff hears daily accounts from migrants of exploitation at the hands of traffickers and grave abuse on their journeys.
Slavery, torture, extortion
The migrants are often promised good jobs and decent living conditions and do not anticipate the challenges they will face. Instead, thousands of migrants are sold into sexual slavery, tortured on video while their families are extorted, or forced to work for months without pay on farms, according to IOM.
The situation has become a trafficking crisis of extraordinary proportions, the UN agency warned. Many also struggle to access essential public services, like health care, shelter, sanitation facilities, and food while also experiencing stigma and discrimination.
Humanitarians mobilized along the eastern corridor migration route are striving to ensure assistance is available to people on the move and that those who wish to return home can do so safely and voluntarily. But, the demand for these services continues to outweigh the resources available to respond to all migrants in need.
More meaningful efforts from world leaders to restore the rights of and end violence toward people on the move in Yemen – regardless of background or migration status – must also be made, the UN agency said.
Yemenis welcome newcomers
Confronted with these harsh realities, it is Yemeni community members who often go out of their way to help newcomers. Thousands of Yemenis work for humanitarian agencies in dangerous areas. Some have moved far from their homes to lend a hand to communities in need across the country.
Host communities, still reeling from years of war, have stepped up to support and welcome those in dire need.
Yemeni doctors provide relief to people suffering from ailments on their journeys, engineers build extensive water networks in arid lands, community leaders help mitigate conflict over dwindling resources, and teachers spread knowledge to children whose education has been compromised by war.
The realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on supporting these unsung heroes to make concrete contributions to development and peace in countries in crisis.
#InternationalDayofPeace
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Story
21 September 2023
UNDP YEMEN: THE WHOLE VILLAGE BENEFITS: COMMUNITY CONTRACTING IN YEMEN
Prolonged conflict in Yemen has had a profound effect on the country and its people. Political, economic, and social consequences have affected the country´s ability to provide basic services, with Yemenis experiencing a chronic lack of employment opportunities, while many that are employed see their wages go unpaid.
These issues are compounded by the impact of climate change, high inflation, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply-chain issues, with Yemenis living increasingly vulnerable lives as they are left to fend for themselves in one of the most food-insecure countries in the world. In Yemen, around 90% of food is imported and some 17.4 million people face acute food insecurity.
Conflict – and the numerous other challenges Yemenis face – negatively affects the social fabric of communities. Solutions to build trust, bring communities together, and work towards a more peaceful future are required.
COMMUNITY CONTRACTING FOSTERS RESILIENCE
In a bid to improve lives – and livelihoods – for the long term, UNDP’s Emergency Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (ESPECRP), with national partner the Public Works Project (PWP), is applying community contracting mechanisms to construction projects, from water harvesting to agricultural land reclamation and road paving. This is an approach that helps communities better support themselves through immediate crisis and for the long term, improving food production and increasing access to critical services. Already these projects have benefited tens of thousands of Yemenis in disadvantaged communities.
Because of the way that community contracting works – by hiring and paying local community members to improve their own infrastructure and using local resources as much as possible – these projects also help foster a greater sense of community as neighbors work together for the good of the whole village, resulting in a sense of ownership and belonging.
FIGHTING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is increasingly adding to the difficulties that Yemenis face, particularly in rural, agricultural areas. The country is seeing not only more extreme, extended dry periods but also flooding that washes away agricultural infrastructure as well as fertile soil. This makes for further food insecurity, with climate events happening with greater severity and becoming increasingly unpredictable.
For already impoverished communities, the effects of climate change on food security are dire. Many of the projects that work best in the community contracting format are directly related to agriculture and combating the effects of climate change. PWP advocates that ideal projects are small community assets in rural areas that require simple techniques, high labour intensity and the use of materials that are available locally. While road rehabilitation is one example, the protection of agricultural land through the building of gabions and irrigation canals that help mitigate desertification are other key projects.
EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Because of the focus on keeping projects as local as possible, community members benefit from access to improved services and new job opportunities that provide the community with fast access to cash as well as skills to better their longer-term employment opportunities. An irrigation rehabilitation project in Shabwa is one such example.
“The Ba-Yahya irrigation channel rehabilitation project offered me a job, which has improved my living conditions and livelihood through both the work and the work experience I gained,” says Muhammad Saleh, a resident of Mayfa’a, Shabwa. “Before, I was unemployed, but I was chosen by the community committee to work on this project through a wage employment scheme, which has improved my situation and that of many labourers from my community.”
Muhammad, like many other workers who participated in this project, received training in how to mix concrete, how to properly lay rocks and how to plaster walls before starting work onsite. “We had a chance to learn new skills from more experienced engineers,” he explains.
The percentage of local community members working on such development projects increased by 60% after the community contracting approach was adopted.
“Community contracting is a real and successful investment in human capital development, accomplished through equipping community members with the skills needed to generate a sustainable income,” says Ibtihal Fuad, an Engineer, and the Investment Planner at PWP.
AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
When these projects happen, the entire community participates – including women. Women are also offered the opportunity to learn a profession and deliver skills that are needed in the local labour market. In fact, community contracting has increased women’s employability by 30% when compared to a private contracting approach.
Barakah Khamis, a resident of the Ba-Yahia region in the governorate of Shabwah, was a key contributor in rehabilitating rainwater irrigation channels in her area. She received training on the community contracting provided by PWP and applied it to become a contractor herself in the project.
"The training provided me with the set of skills needed to be a community contractor to clear shrubs and waste from the irrigation channels," she said. "I even hired 30 other women from the area and worked together to get the job done," she adds.
According to Shafiqa Al-Rajami, the Gender Specialist at PWP, “Community contracting provides a greater opportunity to employ women, empower them economically and promote their role in society. This mechanism provides equitable conditions for women to compete with men in bidding to win project tenders.”
Barakah expressed her appreciation for the opportunity and said, “In my capacity as a decisionmaker, I have become well respected by my family and community who appreciate what I have achieved.” Barakah emphasized the impact this project has had on the lives of all the women involved as well as her community; they have been able to improve their livelihoods, highlighting the important role women can play in their community.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FROM PLANNING TO IMPLEMENTATION
The approach involves dividing work into several stages, explains Mohammed Al-Shawafi, the Community Contracting Coordinator at PWP, starting with choosing the project name and then assigning an engineer and a social researcher to inspect the site, identifying the scope of priorities and needs.
“After that, a beneficiaries committee of both men and women is elected by the local community and its members are trained on the mechanisms and requirements needed to implement the project: the committee takes responsibility for all phases of the project,” he adds.
As well as delivering results that have directly considered the needs of the community, this approach also encourages greater communication within communities. Decisions must be reached, and compromises made. In the process, community dialogue is strengthened, and a sense of trust is forged.
A PAVED ROAD BECOMES A VALUABLE COMMUNITY ASSET
These community-based projects offer some of the best solutions against deteriorating conditions across vital areas of infrastructure, such as the poor road conditions seen across much of the country. One such project targeted a dangerous stretch of road in Al-Sarrah, a sub-district of Al-Odein, Ibb Governorate.
“This treacherous road was a big risk during rainy seasons – there was a real risk of death,” says Qasim Al-Humaidi, a resident of Al-Sarrah. Extreme weather not only damaged the road and made it dangerous for travelers but also crippled agricultural production.
“Torrential rains used to cause soil erosion and floods, sweeping away agricultural terraces,” explains Majed Al-Ohami, a PWP consultant.
In Al-Sarrah, the paved road has brought new life and business to the area. “This road serves more than 100,000 people, giving them access to many services in the city. It not only links sub-districts and villages but also wider districts and governorates – all of which are densely populated areas,” explains Sadiq Saif, head of the beneficiaries committee.
“The project also plays a significant role in economic recovery, with investment in the local area increasing too.” Saif explains that new health facilities, restaurants and supermarkets have all opened as a result of the successful road project. He adds that since the community provided the 20,000 rocks needed to pave the road, all of which were sourced locally, there was no need to bring rocks from further away, cutting costs and transport emissions.
A LONG-TERM FOCUS BEYOND DAILY STRUGGLES
ESPECRP and PWP are helping Yemen’s crisis-affected people regain sustainable livelihoods. These projects have enabled Yemenis to prioritise broader recovery efforts and development planning – giving them a longer-term focus, beyond the day-to-day struggles of an impoverished nation.
According to Al-Shawafi: “Community contracting contributes to strengthening Yemen’s core infrastructure across sectors, across communities and for the long run.”
***
The Emergency Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (ESPECRP) supports nutrition-sensitive cash transfers and temporary employment, while also improving access to sustainable livelihoods, key services, and economic opportunities for geographically focused areas affected by hunger, malnutrition, and climate related shocks. The project is in line with the World Bank’s integrated approach to improve food security resilience and sustainable livelihoods for Yemenis.
Funded and supported by the World Bank’s IDA, the US$ 232.9 million ESPECRP is implemented by the Social Fund for Development (SFD), the Public Works Project (PWP), and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS) in partnership with UNDP Yemen.
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Story
13 September 2023
UNFPA Yemen: “What’s left to be destroyed in my life?” Flash floods deepen the catastrophe in Yemen
Shaima left school at just eight years old to support her family’s farming business in Hajjah, in northern Yemen. Conflict had erupted and the country’s economy went into freefall, leaving the family almost destitute and with no means to pay for her schooling.
A few years later, the violence spread to Shaima’s village. Her family of six crammed onto their father’s motorbike and travelled more than six hours to reach the Sa’ada Governorate. They are among some 4.5 million Yemenis displaced within the country by the relentless conflict, 80 per cent of whom are women and children in drastic need of humanitarian assistance.
Finding nowhere else to go, Shaima and her family took shelter in a refuse tip in Quhza District. They resorted to collecting plastic bottles, which they transported by motorbike to sell at a market in the city, earning less than $1 dollar a day. They could barely scrape together one meal for the family, but at least they were together.
That changed when heavy rains lashed their shelter in August, washing away their motorbike. Shaima’s father and brother rushed to catch it, but were pulled into the floodwater. Shaima, too, tried to help but was dashed against the rocks by the force of the current. A neighbour pulled her to safety, but both her father and brother drowned.
Now Shaima, at age 16, is the sole provider for her mother, her 6-year-old sister and 13-year old brother.
A rapid response team led by UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, met with Shaima’s family, providing them with emergency support and referred them for shelter and cash assistance. To meet the needs of people displaced in an emergency, UNFPA distributes dignity kits, containing hygiene and menstruation supplies, to women and girls, alongside ready-to-eat food from WFP and hygiene kits provided by UNICEF.
Shaima told UNFPA, “My only hope for the future is to be able to secure the very basic needs for the rest of my family to survive.”
Women and girls at the centre of the crisis
Since the start of the year, extreme weather in Yemen has displaced over 200,000 people, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times. Heavy rain is now forecast to affect nearly 2 million displaced people over the coming weeks, threatening lives and livelihoods across multiple communities.
The effects of climate crises exacerbate the vulnerability and protection risks inherent in displacement, especially for women and girls. That was the case for Souad, 45, and her seven children, who had been sheltering in a mud hut they built themselves – before the flash floods demolished it.
“I was in shock – what’s left to be destroyed in my life?” she asked. They had already been displaced by conflict, and her husband recently died from kidney disease. Like one quarter of displaced families in Yemen, Souad was left to look after her family alone. She resorted to selling household utensils, while her children helped to collect plastic items that had been thrown away.
The rapid response team met with Souad’s family, as well.
“I was surprised when the rapid response team came and provided us with these kits, I didn’t expect them to arrive so quickly.”
Souad was referred by UNFPA for cash assistance, shelter and to a protection team for counselling; later she will be offered training in livelihood skills so she can recover financially and support herself and her family.
Rapid response for escalating crises
Years of conflict and deprivation have weighed heavily on Yemeni women and girls, but any form of health care or protection services are scarce if not entirely absent.
Yemen ranks third among the countries in the world that are most vulnerable to climate change but least prepared for its shocks. Severe drought, record rises in temperature and devastating floods have combined to upend the lives and security of tens of thousands of people.
The UN rapid response mechanism in Yemen, supported by the European Union, the United States Government and the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, ensures life-saving assistance within 72 hours of the onset of an emergency. Since the start of the year, more than 150,000 people across the country have been supported in this way, some two thirds of whom were families affected by severe weather.
“This gives me hope that our situation can improve,” Souad said to UNFPA.
Still, millions more people at risk are in urgent need of increased support. UNFPA is calling for US$ 70 million in 2023.
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Story
12 September 2023
UNDP Yemen: Paving Yemen’s Roads: Supporting Farmers, Increasing Food Resilience
Farmers’ productivity relies upon access to agricultural supplies and machinery, as well as safe and proper access to markets to sell their produce. Unfortunately, eight years of protracted conflict in Yemen has left many farmers without this access, resulting in millions of Yemenis becoming severely food insecure.
Production hurdles and obstacles facing farmers – combined with the devastating effects of climate change and a heavy reliance upon food imports – has meant that Yemen is now one of the most food insecure countries in the world. The situation has been made worse by a lack of paved roads across the country and difficulty for rural farmers to access markets.
Around 30,000 people live along the mountainous Eilyafa Road that passes through the community of Al-Madhahij in Taiz. The road is unpaved and has exacerbated hardships on the local population, denying them access to everything from education to healthcare – even food became difficult to get and costly.
Locals began to look for solutions.
They found solutions in sharing the costs of renting expensive off-road vehicles that could traverse the difficult roads between the villages. A temporarily solution was found to what used to be inaccessible to so many – even during the rainy season when access was extremely difficult, if not impossible. Food and supplies were now possible to be delivered to the rural communities. But it was still difficult for farmers to bring in much-needed equipment and many struggled to sell what they had grown.
A local villager, Sa’eed Sharaf, explains that, “This road is used by everyone in surrounding villages, and we all struggled.” He goes on to say that, “The high cost of food transport forced people to share the cost of renting a four-wheeler to deliver goods. And those who ran out of food before the next delivery would have to go on a two-hour journey to reach the nearest market.”
Joining a road through community participation
To help solve these issues, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the Public Works Project (PWP) have partnered together on the Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP) to pave the Eilyafa Road in hopes of helping create food security in the small villages around it. The project allows both villagers and farmers to gain access to freedom of movement – allowing them to go to the market, move their goods, send their children to school, and have opportunities to earn income to better care for their families.
In response to the community priorities, three particularly difficult sections of Eilyafa Road were paved. Paving the very difficult 510 meters of the four kilometer road has made a huge difference.
“It helped connect all the paved parts into one major road with smaller roads forking from it,” explains engineer Salah Saif, the Project Officer.
The project employed locals through a cash-for-work programme that allows people to not only earn daily wages but to also learn new skills they can carry into the labour market in the future.
"130 men and five women from the local community gained new skills and expertise by participating in the road paving project,” explains Saif.
A new reality
So much has now changed for the 17 villages along the Eilyafa Road.
Saeed Salam, the Development Committee Coordinator in the Al-Mathahej sub-district, stresses the impact the newly paved road has had on farmers.
“Our local farmers can now rent modern tilling machines, easily access seeds and fertilisers, and transport their crops to sell at local markets,” he indicates. The road will have tremendous impact on the village farmers and their ability to produce larger crop yields as well as transporting their produce to market, improving the food security in the area.
He goes on to explain that “The benefits of this project have gone beyond just giving farmers access to local markets; it has revitalized the agricultural sector and contributed to enhanced food security in the communities.”
In addition, instead of taking long and rough roads, people can now safely drive on Eilyafa Road, saving them time and money. Instead of hiring a four-wheeler or spending three to four hours to reach the city centre, people can now reach it in less than 20 minutes. Having easier and cheaper access to essential services means saving more money, that which can be spent on improving households’ food security.
“The new road has made a big impact in local communities,” says Sa’eed Salam. "The benefits extend from transporting food and goods to giving people access to education and healthcare."
"It is seen as one of the most significant projects to have been implemented in the area because it has truly transformed people’s lives."
*** Funded by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. UNDP’s US$ 64 million component of FSRRP improves agricultural production infrastructure and builds climate resilience and is implemented in partnership with the Social Fund for Development (SFD), and the Public Works Project (PWP).
*** Funded by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. UNDP’s US$ 64 million component of FSRRP improves agricultural production infrastructure and builds climate resilience and is implemented in partnership with the Social Fund for Development (SFD), and the Public Works Project (PWP).
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Story
09 September 2023
IOM YEMEN: AGENCY AND RESILIENCE: RASHAD HELPS HIS FAMILY GET BACK ON THEIR FEET
Rashad was content with the life he had back home in Hajjah. He was a hardworking family man who cared for his wife, children, and elderly parents. Before the conflict, he used to regularly shuttle back and forth from his home in northern Yemen to Saudi Arabia where he could earn a decent living. But when armed clashes began to intensify, he could no longer access the nearby country where he made the basic income needed to care for his family.
Rashad had to make the hard decision to travel to another city in Yemen far away from his home to look for a job, leaving his parents and family behind.
“My father had lung and heart diseases. His medicine costs YR 270,000 every month. I could no longer provide for that, so I had to travel to look for work in Sa’dah,” explained Rashad.
Rashad thought that he would be able to work and go back home, but he was stuck due to the armed clashes. Eventually, he also ran out of money and could no longer afford to move away.
“Luckily, I found a kind-hearted person who offered to take me to Ma’rib for free. To my surprise, he even gave me money to eat something after we arrived there.”
When he arrived in Ma’rib, Rashad faced immense challenges. He had no money, no shelter, and was far away from his family and sick parents. At that moment, Rashad felt helpless for the first time.
“I had nothing, not even a tent or a blanket, but the people there were so kind and lent me blankets and a tent and told me to return them when the organization helps me.”
“The community there also loaned me some money to pay for the transportation fees to bring my family and parents from Hajjah.”
After Rashad was united with his family, he learned about services offered in Al Jufainah displacement site by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
With support from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, IOM supported Rashad with Rapid Response Mechanism Kits which include tents, mattresses, blankets and food items. The aid also included cash that was given to Rashad in three installments.
Approximately 1,834 internally displaced people have received these essential items and cash assistance through this initiative since last September.
“The cash assistance project aims to enhance the livelihoods of people who have become newly displaced by conflict or disasters,” said Mohammed Abbas, IOM field assistant in Ma’rib.
“Cash assistance allows them to make the best decision on how to use the money, whether that’s for food, medicine, shelter, or even education.”
“With the first installment, I bought an oven and a gas cylinder to be able to make meals at my shelter. I also bought cement to build a room and spent the rest of the money on groceries for my family,” Rashad recalled.
This assistance allowed him to cook warm meals and secure shelter for himself and his family, providing them with some comfort they had not had since they became displaced.
Later, Rashad used the second round of cash assistance to buy materials to improve his shelter. He and his family now live in a small but cozy space that offers them a sense of stability, privacy and belonging.
The last round of cash brought imminent relief to Rashad, as he used the money to buy food for his children and provide his father with the necessary medicine that relieved him from pain and made him feel better.
“I am so grateful for this support. We had nothing before it came,” he concluded.
Rashad still wishes to build a separate kitchen to cook safely outside their shelter.
In the face of adversity, Rashad chose not to be defeated, but instead embraced the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of his family. His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always room for compassion and resilience.
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Press Release
25 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON WORLD MARITIME DAY
Shipping is a pillar of the world economy, a catalyst of development, and a vital link connecting goods, commodities, and communities across the world.
Today, the maritime sector transports over 80 per cent of global trade – and accounts for nearly three percent of global emissions.
That is why speeding up shipping’s voyage to carbon neutrality is critical to our collective future.
The updated Greenhouse Gas Strategy agreed at the International Maritime Organization earlier this year provides a clear plan for achieving net-zero by 2050.
Now we need all-hands-on-deck to deliver on the policies and investments required to realize a just and equitable transition for the entire maritime sector.
On this World Maritime Day, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of a landmark treaty to prevent pollution from ships: the MARPOL Convention.
Through the decades, MARPOL has made important contributions to protecting our planet and ocean by making shipping safer and cleaner.
Looking ahead, let us build on the legacy of this convention and together steer towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for this critical industry – and a safer future for humanity.
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Press Release
25 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY “Tourism and green investment”
Tourism is a powerful force for progress and mutual understanding. But in order to deliver its full benefits, this force must be protected and nurtured.
Today, the climate emergency is threatening many travel destinations and the very survival of communities and economies that depend on tourism. And many developing countries that are severely affected by a changing climate are also facing a growing investment deficit and a cost-of-living crisis.
On this World Tourism Day, we recognize the vital need for green investments to build a tourism sector that delivers for people and planet.
Governments and businesses must invest in sustainable and resilient tourism practices. Private actors must adopt zero-emission pathways, lower their energy consumption and leverage renewable forms of energy. And everyone must protect the biodiversity and ecological balance of all destinations.
Targeted investments can deliver jobs and support local businesses and industries while mitigating the environmental impacts of tourism, empowering communities, promoting their cultures, and contributing to essential social protection systems.
So let us all do more to harness the full potential of sustainable tourism. Because investing in sustainable tourism is investing in a better future for all.
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Press Release
25 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE TOTAL ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons reminds us that a peaceful future depends on ending the nuclear threat.
Geopolitical mistrust and competition have spiked the nuclear risk to Cold War levels. Meanwhile, hard-won progress over many decades to prevent the use, spread and testing of nuclear weapons is being undone.
On this important Day, we re-affirm our commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and the humanitarian catastrophe their use would unleash.
This means nuclear-weapon States leading the way by meeting their disarmament obligations, and committing to never use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
It means strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, including through the Treaties on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
It means all countries that have not yet ratified the Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to do so without delay, and for those States that possess nuclear weapons to ensure a moratorium on all nuclear testing.
It means taking into account the evolving nuclear order, and addressing the blurring lines between strategic and conventional weapons and the nexus with new and emerging technologies.
Above all, it means deploying the timeless tools of dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation to ease tensions and end the nuclear threat. The recently launched Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace calls on Member States to urgently recommit to this important cause.
The only way to eliminate the nuclear risk is to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Let’s work together to banish these devices of destruction to the history books, once and for all.
***
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Press Release
23 September 2023
WHO and UNICEF Yemen Collaborate on Emergency Integrated Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in 13 governorates in Yemen
The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP) in Aden in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO is set to implement a Measles-Rubella (MR), vitamin A and COVID-19 integrated vaccination campaign. This joint effort aims at combatting the ongoing outbreaks and the spread of measles and rubella in Yemen.
The 6-day integrated Measles & Rubella vaccination campaign kicked off this morning of Saturday, 23 September 2023 and will target 1,267,082 children aged 6 months to 59 months across 121 districts in 13 governorates. The campaign will integrate COVID-19 vaccinations for the high-priority group in fixed and temporary fixed sites. A total of 3,025 medical teams, consisting of 847 fixed teams and 2,178 mobile teams, will be deployed for a minimum of six days.
Dr. Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, and Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, expressed their commitment to this joint effort. Dr. Pesigan stated, “Our commitment to Yemen's children is unwavering, and we stand united with the government to strengthen the immunization program as a cornerstone of primary health care on our path to achieving universal health coverage.”
The World Health Organization Yemen and UNICEF Yemen are working closely with the Yemeni government, partners, and communities to guarantee the success of this integrated effort. By bringing together their efforts and resources, WHO and UNICEF strive to enhance vaccine coverage, protect vulnerable communities, and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen warns: “measles can kill, but vaccinating children against measles will save their lives. The vaccine is safe and is effective”. Hawkins continues to call upon everyone to “join in and make sure that every child between 6 months and 5 years of age is vaccinated”.
The campaign is made possible with the generous support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, USAID, and the World Bank. Their assistance enables UNICEF and WHO Yemen and the Yemeni government to strengthen the routine immunization, reduce the zero dose children, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent future outbreaks of these diseases.
This campaign's integration of measles and rubella vaccines, vitamin A supplementation with COVID-19 vaccinations shows a comprehensive approach to public health. By tackling numerous diseases at the same time, the campaign aims to optimize its impact and contribute to Yemen's general health and well-being.
###
About UNICEF
UNICEF 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. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen. About WHO
WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being. For more information, visit WHO EMRO | Home | Yemen site | Countries For more information, please contact: Shatha Al-Eryani, WHO Yemen, saleryani@who.int Kamal Al-Wazizah, UNICEF Yemen, kalwazizah@unicef.org
UNICEF 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. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen. About WHO
WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being. For more information, visit WHO EMRO | Home | Yemen site | Countries For more information, please contact: Shatha Al-Eryani, WHO Yemen, saleryani@who.int Kamal Al-Wazizah, UNICEF Yemen, kalwazizah@unicef.org
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Press Release
20 September 2023
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
As we mark this International Day of Peace, people and our planet are in crisis.
Conflicts driving record numbers of people from their homes.
Deadly fires, raging floods and soaring temperatures.
Poverty, inequalities and injustices.
Mistrust, division and prejudice.
This year’s theme reminds us that peace is not automatic.
Peace is the result of action.
Action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind.
Action to end the war on our planet and its natural gifts.
Action to uphold and protect the human rights and dignity of every person — especially as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Action to use the timeless tools of diplomacy, dialogue and collaboration to defuse tensions and end conflict.
And action for those millions of people living through the horrors of war.
Peace is not only a noble vision for humanity.
Peace is a call to action.
Let us commit to build, drive and sustain peace for all.
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