Improving access to health, water, sanitation and (psycho-) social services for internally displaced persons and the local population in Yemen

Project description

Title: Improving access to basic social services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local population
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Countries: Yemen
Overall term: 2016 to 2025

Traumatised young people who have received psychological support through the project are awarded the trophy at a football tournament (source: IYSO)

Context

Yemen has been at war since 2015, with devastating consequences. Major infrastructural elements are being damaged and destroyed. Almost 80 per cent of the population relies on humanitarian aid, and millions of people have no or only inadequate access to drinking water, sanitation and health care. People with disabilities, women and children are especially affected.

The number of internally displaced persons is estimated at 4.4 million, and this figure is growing. Local administrations in the host regions can hardly meet the requirements of their own population. They are not in a position to cover the additional and special needs of vulnerable groups. The circumstances described are having an adverse impact on the social and mental well-being of the population.

Objective

Access to health care, water, sanitation and basic social services is being improved for internally displaced persons and the local population in the host communities. The needs of disadvantaged groups are especially being considered.

Women are informed and trained on topics of reproductive health and using hygiene kits (source: DEEM)

Approach

The project is helping to improve the provision of basic services to the population in the Ibb, Taiz, Hajjah, al-Hudaydah and Aden regions. The focus is on the particular needs of internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, women, children and other disadvantaged groups.

Together with local partner organisations and administrations, health centres are being made operational again and health workers are being trained.

The project is training school psychologists in dealing with trauma and making physiotherapy centres and a centre for children with disabilities child-friendly spaces. In addition, it is supporting the construction of infrastructure such as wells and latrines and establishing related management systems. Wherever possible, representatives of disadvantaged groups are being integrated into the management structure for this.

The project is enabling local administrations and organisations to provide the necessary basic services independently in the future.

Last updated: February 2022

Internally displaced persons and local children use the drinking water filters provided by the project (source: GWQ)

Additional information