Transitional Development Assistance in Yemen: Promoting Resilience through Food and Nutrition Security

Context

Yemen has been close to the bottom of the Global Hunger Index (GHI) rankings for years. According to the GHI 2023, the hunger situation is categorised as ‘very serious’. In the light of the devastating civil war of recent years, the social and economic situation of the population is steadily deteriorating. More frequent extreme weather events are exacerbating the situation. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that around three quarters of the population depend on humanitarian assistance.

Women and girls are particularly affected. According to UNICEF, every ten minutes a child dies of a preventable disease. 2.2 million children under the age of five and around 1.3 million pregnant or breastfeeding women are suffering from acute undernutrition.

Objective

The food and nutrition security of vulnerable households in the governorates of Al Mahwit, and Lahij has improved.

Approach

The project encourages vulnerable households to become more resilient to crises through climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Promoting a healthy and balanced diet is a core element.

1. The project supports farmers who are active in dairy farming and mixed crop cultivation (intercropping) in coffee fields. Training and material goods increase the availability of nutritious food, as well as income.
2. The project provides training and advice on skills for a hygienic and nutrient-rich diet. This includes production, storage, further processing and consumption.
3. Resilience to extreme weather events in smallholder agriculture is increased through training, small-scale construction measures and remunerated jobs (cash-for-work).
4. Cooperation with local companies enables the development of structures that can anchor and expand the measures in the country in the long term.

Last update: February 2024