Sanaa, 12 January 2022 (TDI): The World Bank Executives Directors approved on December 21st the provision of two millionaire grants. These will be directed to Yemen to restore critical urban services in the country.
Along these lines, the two grants for US$170 million increased the total of World Bank funding to US$2.89 billion since 2016. As a result, the Bank will support two major projects in Yemen. First, Yemen 2nd Phase of Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project II. Second, Yemen Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project.
Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project II
Therefore, Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project II aims to restore urban services for over 1.5 million people. All of them were either affected by the flooding or the civil war. For this reason, the main activities focus on rehabilitating waste transfer stations, landfill measures, and capacity development.
Besides that, YIUSEP II seeks to reduce the gender gap in the country. This by providing women with more job opportunities to start a business and access knowledge support to register that business.
Previous Attempts to address critical issues in Yemen
Similarly, it is important to mention that has already completed YIUSEP I. The first protected oriented to restore access to critical urban services such as electricity, municipal services, among others. In this way, YIUSEP benefited 3 million people across all cities in Yemen.
Not to mention the 240 restored kilometers and waste cleaning campaigns to reduce hazards and improve Yemenis quality of life. In this project, the UNOPS worked alongside the World Bank and Yemeni local authorities to address the many issues in the country.
Nonetheless, there were still some unsolved problems after the execution of the YIUSEP I. For instance, unmet need for urban infrastructure and national service delivery. Thus, the World Bank decided in June 2021 to implement the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project II (YIUSEP II).
Yemen Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project
On the other hand, the second project seeks to address food security in rural areas all across Yemen. Hence, it will help the Yemeni population, who live isolated in villages and farmers, to access roads and get their products to market.
Besides that, this new project looks forward to providing new job opportunities to the most vulnerable in Yemen, as well as food aid. Not to mention the World Bank’s commitment to reduce food prices so the population in the country can access lower transportation and food.
Importance to fund Yemen projects
In this regard, the World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to assist Yemen. Especially considering Yemen’s economic contraction by more than 40 percent since 2015. This is translated in 4 of 10 Yemenis without a regular income which drove poverty levels to above 80 percent.
For these reasons, the projects approved by the World Bank Executive Directors will support Yemen in various fields regarding employment, infrastructure, food security, among others. That is why the World Bank also provides the country with technical expertise and develops strategic partnerships.
