UNDP Yemen and the UN

UNDP Yemen and the UN

UNDP works with the entire UN System in Yemen through a number of mechanisms. The UNDP Resident Representative, Auke Lootsma, and other UN agencies heads form the UN in Yemen Country Team (UNCT), which coordinates programmatic development assistance and the development of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). This framework enables the UN to act as one in supporting Yemen’s development priorities. Technical and managerial oversight of programmes is then managed through the UN Core Group (UNCG).

Based on the mandates, direction and supervision of the UNCT, UNDP engages in various cross cutting thematic groups and task forces including:

  • UN Joint Team on AIDS
  • UN Humanitarian Country Team (UNHCT)
  • UN Operations Management Team (OMT)
  • Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) Task Force
  • UNDAF Outcome Group 

The UNDAF Outcome Group monitors the implementation of UNDAF programmes and works on joint programming. The group consists of four sub-groups working in the areas of: Governance; Gender; Population and Basic Social Services; and, Pro-Poor Economic Growth.

The UNDAF (2012-2015) – extended through 2020 – targets the vulnerable population and is geared to support acceleration of sustainable development progress using Human Rights Based Approach, mainstreaming conflict prevention and promoting interface between humanitarian and development.

Six United Nations Joint Working Groups have been established:

  1. Gender (co-chaired by UNFPA and UN Women)
  2. Sustainable Livelihood and Employment (so-chaired by UNDP and WFP)
  3. Basic Social Services (co-chaired by UNICEF and WHO)
  4. Democratic Governance (co-chaired by UNDP and IOM)
  5. Rule of Law and Justice (co-chaired by OHCHR and UNHCR)
  6. National Dialogue (chaired by UN-DPA)
     

UN Strategic Framework for Yemen 2017-2019

With the goal to "mitigate the impact of the current conflict on the social and economic conditions in Yemen, and on the capacity of state institutions while contributing to ongoing peacebuilding efforts", the UN Strategic Framework seeks to set out to: (a) outline - as clearly as possible - what needs to be done to prevent the complete collapse of national capacity in Yemen; (b) restrict the humanitarian crisis from growing; and, (c) support the ongoing efforts towards peace and security in Yemen.

Activities are focused toward sustaining basic social services, socio-economic resilience, social cohesion and protection, and peacebuilding with the following overall goal to mitigate the impact of the current conflict on the social and economic conditions in Yemen, and on the capacity of state institutions while contributing to ongoing peacebuilding efforts. 

Main outcomes of the Framework:

  • Critical state institutions, at central and local levels, maintain core functions and contribute to confidence building between the parties to the conflict. 
  • Basic social services continue to be delivered to the general population. 
  • Communities are better managing external threats, local risks and shocks with increased economic self-reliance and enhanced social cohesion. 
  • Effective leadership, participation and engagement of women, youth and civil society are promoted to strengthen their contribution to peace and security in Yemen.

Other 

UNDP participates and engages with the larger donor community through bilateral and multilateral meetings and initiatives in relation to Yemen’s development concerns and priorities, as well as through the bi-monthly Donor Forum Meeting for UN Agencies and Donor Governments/Organizations.