Local Editor
Four UN organizations have signed in Amman, Jordan a joint program to enhance the self-reliance of crisis-affected rural communities in Yemen.
The program entitled "Enhancing Rural Resilience in Yemen" [ERRY] was signed by the European Delegation to Yemen and representatives from the United Nations Development Program [UNDP], the Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], the World Food Program [WFP] and the International Labor Organization [ILO].
ERRY’s total budget reaches €34.8 million financed by the European Union [EU]. Its overall objective is to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of crisis-affected rural communities through support to livelihoods stabilization and recovery, local governance and improved access to sustainable energy.
ERRY aims to raise the rural communities’ ability to manage local risks and shocks for increased economic self-reliance, and enhance the institutions’ response, accountability and effectiveness to deliver services, build the social contract and meet community identified needs.
The joint program will be implemented over 3 years in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and targets four governorates.
"Yemen’s most vulnerable sectors of society bear the brunt of the current conflict. The EU and four UN agencies have teamed up in a unique partnership to assist rural populations in the most affected provinces to help with improving food security, social protection and services," says Bettina Muscheidt, the EU Head of Delegation to Yemen.
She stressed that the program would lay the groundwork for peace and stability in Yemen. "It is a significant coincidence that at its signature peace talks on Yemen resume," Muscheidt said.
"Yemenis now need a comprehensive, durable ceasefire to facilitate implementation of much needed assistance programs. Yemen’s people and the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable should be at the heart of the negotiations."
FAO Representative in Yemen Salah El Hajj Hassan said the program would enable FAO to enhance the independence of farmers by promoting sustainable value chains and will further promote FAO’s flagship "Farmer Field Schools" to increase the farming and production capacities, and help in framing a commercial oriented production.
"Our intervention will have a multiplier effect that will maximize the reach throughout the program. We will be working on behavior change in agriculture, by introducing new techniques and best practices," he added.
ILO Coordinator Patrick Daru said praised the program, which he described as "an important step" for the upcoming reconstruction efforts in Yemen.
He said the ERRY will not only focus on asset rebuilding, but on livelihoods and decent work. "It will rely on the great capacity of Yemen people to bounce back from the conflict and build back their lives. The program will also in turn contribute to sustain peace efforts."
Mikiko Tanaka, UNDP Yemen Country Director said the Program will provide much needed employment opportunities, sustainable energy for communities and mend the disrupted social fabric through social cohesion.
"Building resilience for affected communities to stand back on their feet is the premise to recovery and reconstruction, and to offer a better future for the country."
Tanaka said the UNDP would ensure that its interventions are inclusive and contribute to a restoration of hope, particularly the vulnerable groups such as women-headed households.
Representative and Country Director of WFP in Yemen Purnima Kashyap said WFP will work on empowering vulnerable families through development projects that go hand-in-hand with delivering relief.
"WFP will launch a cash-for-work activity to help vulnerable families rebuild their lives and livelihoods. More than 13,300 people in four governorates will benefit of this project throughout 2016 and 2017."
WFP will also offer support to local partners to rehabilitate community assets, Kashyap added.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
