Khabar Khair (Only Good News)

A joint delegation comprising representatives from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) recently convened in Yemen. Led by Anna Getit, Regional Program Director of SIDA, and Nadine Andrea Jaeggi, SDC Program Officer in Yemen, the delegation engaged with various local organizations to discuss the localization of humanitarian efforts in the country.

The primary focus of the meeting revolved around the Tamdeen Youth Foundation’s initiative to drive local humanitarian work and address the challenges faced by local organizations. The participants also explored strategies to facilitate the transition from humanitarian work to sustainable development.

During the meeting, all attendees unanimously acknowledged the pivotal role played by local organizations in enhancing the efficiency of humanitarian responses. They further emphasized the significance of adopting a participatory planning approach and establishing fair and equitable partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, and donors.

Nadine Andrea Jaeggi, SDC’s program officer in Yemen, reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with local actors to achieve long-term sustainable development in the country. Anna Getit, SIDA’s Regional Program Director, expressed her delight at the opportunity to gain insights into the challenges confronting the humanitarian response in Yemen. The meeting underscored the importance of supporting the donor community in localizing humanitarian efforts in Yemen. It emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among civil society, the private sector, and government agencies, promoting a more efficient humanitarian response model with local leadership at its core.