Challenges

Violence and instability have affected almost all Yemeni governorates. Since March 2015, Yemeni health facilities have reported nearly 9,000 conflict-related deaths and almost 51,000 injuries. Conflict has reduced employment opportunities, interrupted basic services, and made it very difficult for many households to purchase simple necessities such as food and water.

Much of the country is contaminated with explosives – including areas where most of the population resides – making it particularly challenging to reach the most vulnerable population groups like women, people living with disabilities and youth.

The situation has driven over 4 million people (almost 15 per cent of the population) from their homes with over 3 million still displaced – putting added pressure on infrastructure, services and host communities. Armed conflict and banditry have weakened the social mechanisms that ordinarily preserve peace among families and communities. Since 2018, reports of incidents of gender-based violence have increased by 70 per cent and violations of children’s rights have doubled.

Our intervention

The Democratic Governance and Rule of Law programme portfolio includes inter‐related and complementary themes, essential to effective governance and peace-building. Together, for example, projects contribute to stronger core institutional functions and systems, improved access to rule of law, more effective policing and correction, efficient local governance and service delivery, and stronger, more secure communities.

Protecting the most vulnerable 
In frontline villages, UNDP works with the government, local leaders, financial institutions and security providers to provide financial assistance and facilitate the relocation of households to more secure areas. This not only allows individuals to make choices about their lives, it also moves families away from physical danger and prevents casualties in conflict-affected areas.

Enhancing security
UNDP intervenes at several levels to improve access to justice. Specifically, it: (a) provides legal support to individuals; (b) engages communities to determine their security and justice priorities; (c) collaborates with legal institutions; and, (d) helps to improve policing and justice for all.

Activities are designed to assist the most disadvantaged community members, while also helping to strengthen local communities. Ideally, communities will be more cohesive, more active in demanding access to justice and security, and have greater confidence in the providers of those services.

Restoring services
UNDP supports government planning as well as the regulation and delivery of basic services, including the delivery of clean drinking water and management of solid and water waste. This contributes directly to improved life quality, reduced health epidemics, greater productivity and economic growth. More broadly, it allows communities to realize the practical benefits of peace.

Strengthening resilience and improving stability
UNDP contributes to stability in Yemen by strengthening local communities. Providing employment and restoring income sources helps reduce economic hardship. Women across Yemen are being assisted to become self-sufficient and, in many cases, empowered with skills to be the breadwinners for their families.

UNDP recognizes the perception of stability within communities is critical both to economic recovery and the prevention of future conflicts. To this end, community members are trained to provide psycho-social support, resolve conflicts and identify human rights violations.