Protection
Project: Strengthening the mental health and psychosocial well-being of students and parents in Aden and Lahj, Yemen.
Approach: Development
Donor: BMZ
Partner: Family Counseling and Development Foundation (FCDF)
Budget: 366,666.67 EUR
Beneficiaries: 2550 children and their families
Duration: 2023-2026
In the war-torn regions of Aden and Lahj, Yemen, Vision Hope, in partnership with the Family Counseling and Development Foundation (FCDF), is launching a crucial initiative to address the acute mental health and psychosocial support needs of the community. FCDF, an established local NGO, specializes in providing comprehensive psychological support, mental health infrastructure development, and public awareness campaigns.
The project’s primary aim is to offer specialized mental health and psychosocial support services to the most vulnerable groups—children, adults, and especially women—whose lives have been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the project emphasizes capacity building, providing training programs, conducting research, and fostering expertise in the field of mental health.
Community engagement is pivotal, with awareness campaigns and outreach efforts aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues. Collaborations with organizations like the Dutch NGO Dorcas and the Yemeni NGO Loyac aim to maximize collective impact through synergy and cooperation.
This initiative recognizes the critical need for mental health care in a region where traumatic experiences, substance abuse, signs of depression, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise. It strives to establish structures that facilitate recovery, build resilience, and lay the foundation for long-term recovery and development. In a region marred by conflict, this project represents a beacon of hope, offering healing and strength to a community that has endured immense suffering. Together with FCDF, Vision Hope is dedicated to making a lasting positive impact on the mental well-being of the people of Aden and Lahj, Yemen.
Project: Orphanage Hajjah
Approach: Relief
Donor: VHI
Partner: Orphanage Hajjah
Budget: 1,095 EUR
Beneficiaries: 70
Duration: 2023-2024
Orphaned children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking, but providing them with shelter, daily meals, and education can help them to rebuild their lives. Vision Hope has been working since 2017 to partner with the Hajjah Orphanage to provide this kind of security to dozens of boys. Through this partnership, the children receive education, nutritious meals, and the comfort of clean and warm beds.
In 2023, Vision Hope faced challenges in securing funding to support the orphanages. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Vision Hope employees in Yemen, a humanitarian initiative was launched. Financial donations were made, and in February 2023, essential food supplies worth $1,116.54 were purchased to benefit the 68 orphans residing in the Hajjah Orphanage.
In collecting funding for 2024, the Children Sponsorship Programme played a significant role in supporting the Hajjah Orphanage. A total of 4,000 euros was provided during January and February 2024, which was allocated for various purposes, including:
- Providing food for the orphanage.
- Offering incentive support to the storekeeper.
- Ensuring the availability of gas, vegetables, water and electricity for the orphanage.
Thanks to the children sponsorship program, 70 orphans in Hajjah directly benefited from this support, improving their live conditions and overall well-being.
In 2023, 68 orphans have had improved prospects for a healthy and fulfilling life, with access to education, nutriti- on, and medical care, and full protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, and violence. The children no longer have to beg for food or face harassment from community members.
Project: Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) for IDP families
Approach: Relief
Partner: UN Population Fund
Budget: 184,768 EUR
Beneficiaries: 32,024
Duration: 2023
The first 72 hours following a disaster or displacement are crucial in determining the long-term well-being of families affected. To prevent massive loss of life and mitigate the impact of the cri- sis on displaced families and individuals, VHI provided life-saving assistance to newly displaced individuals and vulnerable families affected by natural disasters in 46 districts in Hajjah, Al-Hudaydah, Al-Mahwit and Raymah governorates.
The distributed integrated package consists of three bags addressing food security, protection and health to meet the main needs of the family over ten days, in partnership with UN-WFP, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
List of results from 2023
- Establishment and equipping of 6 warehouses in governorates for response services.
- Conducted monitoring of 7,859 displaced and disaster-affected families across targeted districts in 2023.
- Distributed 4837 immediate ready-to-eat ration kits, dignity and transit kits for females, and basic hygiene kits to IDPs and disaster-affected.
- Provided assistance to 4837 IDP households, including referrals for multi-purpose cash assistance and general food distribution, benefiting a total of 32024 individuals with 51.4% females.
- Provided support and incentives to 64 project participants, including 49 field volunteers and 15 casual laborers, community key informants, and mobilizers.