UNDP seeks to improve conditions in prisons

April 3, 2019

Correction facilities in Dhamar, Hodeidah, Ibb and Sana’a governorates received 7,000 mattresses provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law (RoL) Project in Yemen

Sana’a, Yemen – Today correction facilities in Dhamar, Hodeidah, Ibb and Sana’a governorates received 7,000 mattresses provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Rule of Law (RoL) Project in Yemen.

Assessments carried out in abovementioned governorates have shown that there are needs to improve the conditions of the prisons on overcrowding, hygiene and sanitation in order to prevent such as Scabies and other diseases. . As an immediate humanitarian response to the correction facilities in Yemen, UNDP replacing and providing mattresses, prisoners will be healthier and will have more suitable living conditions. 

With funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), the Rule of Law project provides support to prisoners and detainees for better living conditions 

“The Rule of Law project helps the authorities and partners fulfill their responsibility to meet the required standards such as the improving the hygiene and sanitation through the provision of mattresses and other necessary items. The mattresses are the first step in ensuring that the conditions of the prisoners are being improved. But we must also ensure that the standards go beyond ensuring proper shelter and nutrition; prisoner’s rights must also encompass health and psychosocial support,’’ says Surayo Buzurukova, Team Leader Governance and Peace-Building implements the Rule of Law project. 

UNDP’s RoL project aims to improve the living conditions and treatment of detainees and assists with renovations of prison infrastructure like sanitation, water, psychosocial services, health and literacy. It also helps ensure the human rights of detainees by responding to protection needs and supporting prisons. These actions help prevent compromised human rights due to issues associated with frail state institutions, and budgetary and security constraints.

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About the United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a United Nations agency that advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We provide expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.

UNDP in Yemen aims to restore livelihoods, social cohesion, and security, reflecting minimum conditions necessary for resilience while focusing at the community level. Our priorities for Yemen include: (a) supporting a peaceful solution; (b) economic recovery; (c) restoring basic services; (d) preparing Yemen to transition from humanitarian action to development; and (e) empowerment of vulnerable groups. Read more at www.ye.undp.org 

For more information, please contact:

  • Davide Dolcezza: Rule of Law Project Manager (davide.dolcezza@undp.org)
  • Moayed Al-Shaibani: Communication Officer (moayed.al-shaibani@undp.org) 

Press release: Arabic vesrion