Child survival XI ADRA/Yemen final evaluation : (project #FAO-0500-A-00-5025-00) Hais, Khokha and Jabal Ras districts, Hodeidah Governorate, Republic of Yemen

The project has built a sound, community-based foundation. Its detailed implementation plan (DIP), goals, objectives, and strategies were appropriate for the project area, and its components and management processes were based on research results and local participation. The child survival interventions and community development components have met the priority needs and demands of the local communities. The supplementary activities, such as the cost-sharing/drug revolving fund (CS/DRF), women's literacy/small enterprise development (WL/SED), Vitamin A, laboratory services, and supervision system have furthered project implementation. The CS/DRF was vital in overcoming the chronic shortage of drugs and supplies in the health units (HUs); it also became a source of co-financing for the HUs. The project intentionally linked the CS/DRF to implementation of the main CS interventions. The building local management capacity, one of the major goals achieved, increases the likelihood of project sustainability. The communities are now actively engaged in literacy, health education, and small enterprise development. Women participate enthusiastically in the implementation of all interventions, and women's groups are almost capable of managing their own literacy classes, health education, and loans, though they continue to receive supervision and support services from ADRA. Community organization of men is in the form of local health facility committees (HFCs), which are charged with planning, support, and monitoring of health workers within the HUs and in their catchment areas; documenting vital events; maintaining a health information system; organizing vaccination campaigns; and recruiting health trainees and volunteers. At present there are 14 active HFCs, representing about 30% of the targeted population; of these, 9 are participating in the CS/DRF, and 8 have completely renovated their HUs or are helping build new ones. The project also promoted sustainability by developing an extensive training program for local health manpower, reviving existing health facilities, and strengthening facility supervision and provision of services. Finally, the project broadened primary health care services by introducing interventions, such as control of diarrheal diseases (CDD) and nutrition, at the household level.