Global Communities – Yemen Communities Stronger Together Monthly Program Updates - April 2019

Introductory workshops were conducted in targeted communities in Abyan, Aden, and Lahj governorates to introduce the YCST program objectives and pave the way for the selection of Community Enhancement Committee (CEC) members. The workshops, jointly organized by Global Communities and the local partner FMF, involved 181 community members, including 45 women, and covered topics such as the PACE approach and community engagement. The workshops were held in various locations, including Al-Mahfad and Jyshan in Abyan, Dar Sa'ad in Aden, and Al-Madharebah, Al-Aarah, Al-Suraih, Al-Saqaya, and Al-Nabyah in Lahj. The participants included program staff, influential community figures, teachers, and business persons. The next steps involve analyzing stakeholder dynamics and holding consultation meetings to nominate CEC members, which is planned for the second week of May. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Juar, Abyan, to identify stressors of social cohesion and the root cause of conflict at the community level. The FGDs involved 34 community participants, including 16 female members, and members from marginalized groups and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The discussions revealed issues affecting the Juar community, including the devastation of basic infrastructure and sexual harassment perpetrated by unemployed youth from the host community. As a result of the FGDs, the stabilization team identified the main stressors impacting social cohesion and laid the foundation for the prioritization and consensus-building process, which will be led by the local authority. The stabilization unit also kicked off capacity building for local authorities in Juar and Zenjubar, focusing on the importance of Gender and Social Inclusion. The GESI Manager was recruited to lead the rollout and implementation of the GESI Action Plan, which was initially developed by the MEL Director. The GESI Manager updated the timeline for the implementation of the GESI Action Plan, which is enclosed with the report. The stabilization unit also reached out to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and ARK to discuss collaboration and coordination with the YCST program in Abyan and Taiz. The initiative was welcomed by both organizations, and meetings are planned to take place in the second week of May. Additionally, the MEL Senior Specialist and the MEL Director attended a monitoring and evaluation workshop in Amman, where USAID presented the results framework for the USAID Yemen Program Approach (YPA).