Evaluation of an integrated rural development project : local resources for development

Special evaluation covers the period 6/79-10/82 and is based on a team review of project documents and site visits. The project has had uneven results. Both participating agencies and counterparts seem frustrated by the project's intangible institution building and technology transfer goals. In addition, a lack of skilled counterparts and the inability of contractor personnel to speak Arabic have exacerbated dissatisfactions within Chemonics, the Peace Corps, the Confederation of Yemeni Development Associations (CYDA), and the Governorate Coordinating Councils (CC's). In mountainous Hajjah, road projects were initially stressed but after 6 months, excessive costs, inter-group political rivalry, and the project's inability to compensate landowners for right of ways forced staff to redirect efforts toward water projects. Dissatisfied, the Hajjah CC refused to expedite these projects. Unfortunately, the number of planned water projects also had to be reduced because of environmental constraints, the area's dispersed population, and limited matching grant resources. As a result, only one hand dug well has been completed. These reductions exacerbated mistrust and induced some to believe that Chemonics (the project contractor) was witholding resources in order to make money from the project. In the more populous, yet politically concentrated Hodeidah, two water projects were completed; both were economically feasible and had local support. Nonetheless, the completed projects have demonstrated the value of technically sound planning and design. Training of LDA personnel has also occurred as a by-product of these activities. Some progress has been made in the training of CYDA staff in English and the use of a microcomputer supplied for use of a rural development information system. This activity, although expensive and time consuming, has been visible and successful. A total of 23 recommendations are presented for action by Chemonics, the CYDA, the Peace Corps, and USAID/Y.