Khabar Khair (Only Good News) – Soad Al-Balakhi

The current conditions have led to the deterioration of the local economy, and the sources of income for millions of people, whether in conflict areas or displaced persons, who have reached more than four million people, have been affected. More than four million people have been forced to leave their jobs and businesses to escape from war and conflict. In order to help many people and support economic recovery efforts, the United Nations Development Program with funding from Japan is presenting a project to support economic recovery efforts. The project will be implemented during the period from March 2021 to March 2022. The project aims to help communities in Aden and Lahj, especially returnees from displacement, to re-establish the economy and provide a source of income. Support will include the following activities:

• Small business grants and technical training for 1,000 people.
• Support to improve access to legal and justice services for over 500 people.
• Awareness-raising sessions on mental health and psychosocial support for over 100 Yemenis.
• Rehabilitation of 10 safe spaces.

According to the United Nations Development Program website, Auk Lutsma, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Yemen, stated “UNDP remains fully committed to helping Yemenis rebuild and strengthen their economy. By providing community members with the skills and funds to establish and grow small businesses, Yemenis are empowered to retake ownership of their personal and community recovery. This helps ensure that after the protracted conflict that people can regain their dignity and have a sense of hope and pride in contributing toward Yemen’s recovery,”.

It is worth noting that this project will build on the great achievements of the Livelihoods and Human Security Project in Yemen, which was implemented during the period from February 2017 to December 2021 and through which more than 1,100 small projects were supported and established with the support of the Government of Japan.