Global Communities – Yemen Communities Stronger Together Monthly Program Updates-October 2018

The program is being implemented in Aden and Sana'a, with a focus on community-based capability building and stabilization. The program's startup has been progressing well, considering the country context. The sub-agreement with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC) in Aden has been prepared and submitted for approval. The sub-agreement with the National Authority for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (NAMCHA) in Sana'a is also being prepared and will be submitted shortly. Approval from MOPIC and NAMCHA is required before the project activities can begin. Key project staff have been deployed to Yemen and are working in Aden to set up the project. The recruitment process for main staff positions is ongoing, and a temporary operation room has been established in the Crown Hotel in Aden. The expat staff is using the Global Communities current Guest House in Aden for operations and accommodation. The program team has created an interactive, online Work Plan and Gantt chart to track the progress of program activities. A feedback mechanism has been developed in Global Communities' Data Management System to receive feedback, complaints, and recommendations from target communities. The Grants Management system is also under development and will be deployed in the coming weeks. The sub-awards with local partners Field Medical Foundation (FMF) and National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (NFDHR) have been drafted, and most of the documents from partners have been received and are being reviewed by the Global Communities Finance Office. Implementation progress has been on target and according to the Implementation Plan, except for the following: recruitment of local staff has been delayed due to visa issues and lack of qualified candidates; sub-awards with local partners are pending review and approval; and discussions with USAID on Women, Peace, and Security grant priorities have been rescheduled. The MEAL plan has been revised to include additional activities, such as elaborating on MEAL activities under Objectives 1, 2, and 3, and clarifying the community participation process in stabilization communities. Service indicators have been added to Objective 3 to measure the quality of YCST-supported services and the sustainability of stabilization projects. YCST has met with other implementing partners, including Care International, UNDP-Yemen Stabilization Program (YSP)-Aden, and International Medical Corps (IMC), to introduce YCST objectives and interventions and obtain information about their activities, targeted communities, and lessons learned. The purpose of these meetings is to coordinate and avoid duplication with other projects in YCST's targeted areas, maximize outcomes, and support long-term impact. The program has received encouraging feedback from other organizations about YCST's objectives and interventions, highlighting the need for community-based capability building and not just relief aid. YCST will continue the coordination and mapping effort and actively participate in relevant cluster meetings, including the Early Recovery Work Group (ERWG).