Project Summary

Worsening a pre-existing humanitarian crisis, conflict in Yemen has caused major loss of life, forced people from their homes, and impeded the delivery of water, health and other basic services.

The Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen Programme (ERRY) is a three-year (2016-2019) joint programme funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO, ILO, UNDP and WFP, to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of crisis-affected rural communities in Abyan, Hajjah, Hudaydah, and Lahj Governorates.

ERRY helps rural people and communities to better cope with crises, risks and shocks. The project encourages development of renewable energy as a way to achieve financial and community stability, prioritizing the people and groups whose need is greatest.

Ultimately, the project is expected to help build communities of people who are personally and financially secure, and therefore prepared for risks and shocks, as well as institutions that can provide basic services, and make sure that human needs are met.

Objectives

The project is designed to realize four practical outcomes:

1. Communities have better resources and more reliable income sources.
2. Access to solar energy provides communities with a reliable income source.
3. Communities are stronger because they enjoy basic services and supportive relationships. 
4. Institutions deliver services in a way that satisfies human needs and gains community trust.

2018 accomplishments

• 213 village cooperative councils have been established to lead and manage community plans to cope with crisis-related challenges. Councils include a over 1,900 members, 50 per cent of whom are women. Each council is currently implementing its own plan to restore basic and critical social services.
• 414 community self-help initiatives are serving as sources of personal support.
• More than 56,000 people are involved in 321 small income-generation projects.
• District leaders have launched eight (8) district-level projects to improve health, education, water and sanitation service delivery.
• Over 2,300 young people have gained from emergency employment and, together, have saved approximately USD $352,000. They are now eligible to receive a seed grant from UNDP-supported financial institutions so that they can start their own business.
• Nearly 3,600 individuals have gained new skills and started their own businesses.
• Over 2,150 micro-businesses have been established, generating more than USD $200,000 in profit.
• Over 70,350 working days have been created from cash-for-work activities.
• Two (2) micro-business associations were established to support businesses in transitioning from micro- to small- and medium-sized enterprises.
• Nearly 230 mediators have been trained to resolve conflicts in their communities.
• 60 small grants have been provided, including 48 for the resolution of conflicts related to public services such as water, sanitation, education, and health. Over 30,000 people participated in these activities.
• 5,600 solar lanterns have been provided to households in 20 rural communities.  This has given over 39,000 individuals access to energy, job opportunities, the possibility of keeping their businesses open longer and cost savings of USD $67,000 per month.
• 212 solar energy systems have been installed in schools, health facilities and offices, helping approximately 138,000 individuals.
•  72 solar-powered refrigerators have been provided to health center facilities so that they can safely store more vaccines. This has increased outpatient rates by 32 per cent, benefitting approximately 36,000 individuals and increasing immunization rates in target areas. In addition, replacing diesel with the solar power system has resulted in cost savings of over USD $50,000 per year.
• Four solar-powered safe drinking water systems have been installed in cholera-affected locations, giving over 6,000 individuals access to clean water and resulting in a cost savings of USD $22,490 per month.
• 19 small businesses and market places have been equipped with solar energy systems and assisting approximately 9,500 individuals.
• Installation of four (4) solar irrigation pump systems have benefitted 80 small-scale farmers, improving crop production and saving USD $1800 per pump.
• 200 women and youth have established solar micro-grid businesses, each drawing an income of USD $200 per month.  This is the first time in Yemen that micro-grids have been introduced to both produce and sell solar power.