Yemen

Enhancing the sustainability and accessibility of school-aged girls and boys in three schools

The education sector has been crucially affected by the crisis in Yemen, and access to education for school-aged girls and boys has become struggling. in particular, Bani Sa’ad, Al-Mahweet, the targeted location within this project is suffering from the dropping out of school-aged children and spread of the illiteracy, especially among girls (41%of the illiterate males and the illiterate female reaching 82%), the enrolled girls in the primary schools 20% and not enrolled girls reaches 80%).

What we do

This project aims to enhance the education process in three schools in Bani Sa’ad ( Al-Nahdha, Othman Bn Afan, and 26 September schools, hence contributing to the objectives outlined in the education sector in the 1st SA strategy. VHI is working to deliver a set of activities under the education sector that include construction/rehabilitation classrooms, supporting school staff materials and furniture, including desks, boards, and solar power systems, and with safety and security equipment procured and Equipping the 3 schools in Bani Sa’ad with solar power, chairs, and School broadcasts, distribution of scholastic basic materials for the pupils, and activation/training of Father Mother Councils (FMCs) and student councils. These activities will contribute to dropping off student education which will ensure that targeted schools will have a suitable learning environment, especially for girls. To achieve this successfully, with close coordination with the education office in the district and education cluster. Detailed need assessment has been conducted by the VHI team as well. The beneficiaries of the project are (613 girls, 1,060 boys, 57 men, and 57 women), furthermore 162 will be benefited from the chairs distributed and school broadcasts over the three schools.

Giving a complete school for 1,073 children and stationery kits to set them on their learning journey

Hope, reconstruction, strengthened structures

One of the consequences of the war in Yemen is that much infrastructure has been destroyed. Health facilities can no longer be used. More than 2,500 schools are either damaged, completely destroyed, or misused for other purposes (military or emergency shelters for internally displaced persons). Pumping stations for water supply or agriculture are no longer usable because spare parts were missing or fuel has been unaffordable for years. In addition to this visible damage, social cohesion has also suffered. Conflicts and mistrust run through all levels. Humanitarian aid alleviates the acute, often life-threatening need. But beyond that, more is needed so that people can get back on their own feet and live self-determined lives and shape their futures. That’s why Vision Hope doesn’t stop there but links emergency aid with longer-term measures that promote development, as well as activities that foster social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

What we do
In eight governorates in all parts of the country, Vision Hope promotes one district each as a ” Lighthouse Region “. Together with local partner organizations SSFD and BFD, schools and health facilities are rebuilt, renovated or expanded. Solar systems provide environmentally friendly energy for the facilities and for water pumps. Irrigation systems are rehabilitated and converted to more efficient irrigation methods. Water supply and sewage systems for villages are built. The target group in the districts is not only involved in the planning and implementation of the construction measures, but also strengthened to maintain the operation of the facilities – either directly in self-organization or by demanding their rights from the local authorities. These are also involved in the project, because the aim is not to create parallel structures but to strengthen the existing systems. Thus, employees of these authorities are also trained and state-society relations are strengthened through joint activities.

In all activities, inclusion is a central element, in relation to people with disabilities, but also in relation to all social groups. Everyone should be included and cohesion should be strengthened through joint activities. In addition, there are also targeted peace-building activities. For this purpose, art is used as a medium to enter into conversation, to identify unifying elements and to express different opinions.

At first, it may seem premature to implement reconstruction projects during the acute crisis. But this approach simultaneously strengthens emergency aid and contributes to mitigating the consequences of future crises. Vision Hope’s approach is in line with the recommendations of many experts, e.g. in the GIZ publication “Building for Peace – Peacebuilding Reconstruction in the MENA Region,” where one of the key messages is “that reconstruction starts early and lasts for the long term.” This should include “strengthening local capacities and resources for reconstruction and shaping the future early on – even during the crisis – and using them in reconstruction.”

Humanitarian Help – General Food Asistance

Millions of people in Yemen are suffering from hunger, and the country is on the brink of a massive famine. Families in rural areas, households that have to be headed by women or children, elderly and disabled people are particularly affected. In the regions where VHI works, two out of three people do not know where they will get their next meal. People usually cannot afford food such as legumes, vegetables, fruits, dairy products or meat, which leads to shortages. Many families sell their belongings in order to be able to buy something to eat.

What we do

As emergency aid, food packages are distributed to particularly vulnerable families in the poorest districts of Hajja and al-Hudaida. These include a monthly ration of flour, pulses, vegetable oil, sugar and salt. In 2020, this helped more than 80,000 households – that’s at least 400,000 people a month. After a flood in the same year, an additional 3,425 affected families were provided with a one-time monthly ration of food. When the situation allows, families are given food vouchers to buy food at local markets. This simultaneously supports the business of local merchants. More than 14,500 households were supported in this way in 2020. People who help distribute the food receive a salary: more than 1,200 people were employed in 2020.

Help fight hunger in Yemen now!

Maternal and Child Health Nutrition Project

Corona emergency aid to prevent another health disaster

Millions of people in Yemen are dependent on humanitarian and medical aid. The Corona outbreak makes the situation even more dramatic. The country will not be able to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and manage the cases. The health status of the Yemeni population is already very poor and the health system is decrepit. Hospitals are destroyed or poorly equipped, and health workers are overworked. There is a lack of protective equipment, isolation facilities and intensive care treatment options.

What we do

To help the Yemeni population, hygiene kits are distributed in the communities we serve. Information campaigns and training on self-protection measures are being conducted. Food parcels are provided to people who are unable to access supplies due to lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Our employees are equipped with infection control material for this purpose.

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Living and learning in the children’s home 

Children are particularly helpless in the face of war in Yemen: Thousands of them have been orphaned, many severely traumatized by the rocket fire and bombardment. Some have witnessed the deaths of family members. Orphans in Yemen no longer receive any government support since the infrastructure collapsed and the country’s social services failed. Children’s homes have had to close, resulting in even more children living on the streets or staying with relatives who are themselves too poor to care for them.

 What we do

Around 130 boys have found a new home in our children’s homes in Hajja and al-Mahwit. These are children who otherwise have no prospects because they have lost their parents or their families cannot provide for them. The children’s homes offer them a safe environment and the necessary care and support.

 The boys attend school and spend their free time playing sports and games together. In addition, the children can receive medical care and psychological support. Since 2017, Vision Hope has been supporting the children’s home in Hajja, which at that time was no longer able to provide and care for the children. A year later, the support was extended to the home in al-Mahwit. 

This is how you can help concretely: 

• Meals for one child: 45 Euro/month 
• A place in the children’s home: 100 Euro/month 
• Costs for school attendance for one child: 180 Euro/month 

Provide a safe place for a child in the orphanage! 

Training in skills for income-generating activities

Fighting in Yemen is resulting in thousands of deaths and serious injuries from mines and explosions. Many war injuries lead to disabilities that further aggravate life, especially in remote regions. Affected families cannot expect help and are socially stigmatized and discriminated against. Many people with disabilities have to beg and live isolated or on the streets. Hajja is one of the most affected regions. Women in particular, who have been widowed by the war and have to feed their families, usually have no way to earn money.

What we do

To help these people, the Vocational and Economic Empowerment of People with Disabilities Project was launched in 2020. It is aimed at people with disabilities aged 15-50 and especially widows who have no means of income. Through the project, participants are taught skills such as sewing and embroidery, as well as how to make local sweets and perfumes. After the training, they are supported to work independently and earn money by selling the products. The project also provides the disabled with aids such as wheelchairs and hearing aids, as needed and possible. So far, 80 people have been able to participate in the project.

Donate now to help people with disabilities get an education!

Development project for reconstruction through sustainable agriculture

Hunger is one of the biggest challenges in Yemen. The cost of living has risen enormously as a result of the war: First, much of the country’s agriculture has been wiped out; second, supply routes and access for food shipments have been destroyed, as has the country’s infrastructure. Many small farmers have lost their food and income opportunities, having to sell their livestock and farm equipment to cover the cost of living. They lack the means to buy seeds or equipment they would need to produce nutritious food. Another problem is the supply of clean water, both for personal use and for irrigating fields.

What we do

To help the people of Yemen sustainably and reduce their dependence on emergency aid, we support families in meeting their own food needs and securing their livelihoods through agriculture. For this purpose, rural households are provided with seeds as well as animals such as chickens, goats, sheep and bees to create a sustainable food supply and a source of income.

In addition, the project ensures that new wells and water cisterns are built and damaged wells and water pumps are repaired. Solar-powered water pumps will be installed to provide permanent, sustainable irrigation that does not depend on fuel supplies. In addition, water filters are provided to families. The project also includes training for smallholder farmers in project-related areas. The project has been running since 2017 and now serves more than 1,000 households annually.

Donate now to help families achieve sustainable food security!