Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (SPECRP)

Coverage	All governorates
Status	Ongoing
Duration	December 2020 to December 2022
Budget	USD 61.4 million
Target Groups	Households that are most at-risk of malnutrition, vulnerable populations from the selected communities and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by conflict and the COVID-19 crisis
Focus Area	Cash-for-work, cash-for-nutrition, community assets, MSME support, and food market resilience
Partners	Social Fund for Development (SFD), Public Works Project (PWP), and Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS)
Project Manager	Tracy Vienings

Project Summary

Funded and supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the Yemen Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (SPECRP) aims to provide (a) nurtrition-sensitive cash transfers; (b) temporary employment; and (c) increased access to basic services and economic opportunities for food-insecure populations affected by both COVID-19 and the on-going conflict and climate-related shocks, as well as to strengthen the capacity of national service delivery institutions.

The proejct is managed by UNDP Yemen and implemented by the Social Fund for Development (SFD), the Public Works Project (PWP), and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Services (SMEPS).

Objectives

Provide cash assistance and much-needed services for vulnerable households that are most at risk of malnutrition.
Create employment opportunties for vulnerable populations, improve productivity, strengthen social cohesion, and respond to the anticipated effects of climate change.
Build valuable socio-economic assets for local communities that help improve access to key services and small infrastructure.
Finance MSMEs affected by the conflict and COVID-19 crisis to support economic activities that strengthen the domestic food market and improve food security.