Yemen - Emergency Water Nutrition and Livelihoods Assistance - Islamic Relief Canada 2017

March 2017 - Yemen has been suffering from a significant and prolonged humanitarian crisis even before the escalation of the conflict in mid-March 2015. Humanitarian partners estimate that in 2017 there will be 18.8 million people in Yemen who need humanitarian assistance including 10.3 million that require immediate life-saving assistance. More than 3 million people have been displaced and basic service provision is collapsing. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network between 7 million and 10 million people in Yemen have no access to safe sufficient and nutritious food. Malnutrition has soared by more than 60 percent since late 2015 and is affecting over 3 million people including 460 000 severely malnourished children. Many health facilities have been destroyed and humanitarian access remains a significant challenge. With GAC’s support Islamic Relief Canada is providing emergency water sanitation hygiene nutrition assistance and livelihoods support for up to 60 036 vulnerable people in Abyan and Hodeida governorates. Project activities include: (1) rehabilitating gender-sensitive water sources and sanitation facilities in consultation with women and girls; (2) establishing feeding programs for malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women; and (3) providing livelihoods opportunities through a cash-for-work project for the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in communities and health facilities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities; (2) increased access to livelihoods opportunities to purchase essential relief items; and (3) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating malnutrition among children. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.