Almotamar.net, Saba - Yemen and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed on Sunday two important project documents to support development in the country and to stabilize the situation in Saada province.

The documents were signed by Abdul-Karim Al-Arhabi, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Ms. Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator and the United Nations Development Group Chair.

The US$ 8,573,000first project is the UNDP Integrated Social Cohesion & Development Project (ISCD). With initial 4-year duration, the project aspires to promote social cohesion concepts and culture among all segments of the society, and to prevent conflict through community driven development approaches.

It will enhance the existing local governance reforms to build a closer interaction between the local government and the communities.

On the economic front, the project aims to train and empower the local communities to assess their needs, set their priorities and decide on the realization of projects that will be funded up to $10,000 per village.

Of this amount, $4,000 will be earmarked exclusively for women and youth initiatives.

A �support system� of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN Volunteers, and Government technical line departments will facilitate Community Planning and Community-managed projects. Special Sports & Cultural activities will be sponsored to promote public understanding of the Integrated Social Cohesion and Development.

The second one is the UNDP Community Driven Early Recovery in Saada Project. With a total budget of US$ 4,200,000, this 3-year project aims at contributing to the Government�s plans to stabilize the situation in Saada.

This project is a response to the community�s needs and aims at empowering Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), orphans, disabled, women and youth of Saada to identify their priorities, and design, implement and monitor their projects.

To achieve its vision, the project seeks to address four main priorities;
(1) increase agriculture productivity and income generation to improve the living conditions of affected people;
(2) improve micro and small enterprises and key infrastructure rehabilitation;
(3) build the local communities� capacities in executing early recovery in Saada;
and (4) empower women and youth, socially and economically.

Furthermore, the project will set the foundation for a longer-term economic and social development agenda.

The project will be implemented through an effective partnership with the Saada Reconstruction Fund, local authorities, CSOs and NGOs in Saada, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Foods and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labor Organization (ILO), World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Islamic Relief, and OXFAM.

The signing ceremony was attended by Ms. Amat Al-Alim Alsoswa, UNDP Regional Director for Arab States; Ms. Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative; Ms. Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP Country Director; Mr. Mohammad Naciri, UNDP Deputy Country Director; key officials from the government, UNDP and others.