Yemen Communities Stronger Together (YCST) Monthly Program Update – April 2021

The program aims to mitigate conflict, strengthen social cohesion, and promote peaceful resolution of differences in Yemen. YCST is being implemented by Global Communities in partnership with the Field Medical Foundation, Build Up, and Partners for Good. YCST's objectives are to engage communities in an inclusive approach to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation projects, build the capacity of formal and informal local leaders, organizations, and networks to serve as neutral arbitrators and peace builders, promote peace through pilot stabilization activities, and enhance outcomes through regular and action-oriented learning and contextual analysis. As of April 2021, YCST had implemented 10 projects under Phase 1 of Objective 1, with six projects completed and four projects underway. The program also established two community enhancement committees (CECs) in the Al Dergag community, Abyan governorate, and the Al Musaymir community, Lahj governorate. YCST's Phase 2 communities reported 59 participants attending two workshops, with a community entry workshop held in the Abyan governorate, Khanfir district, and a sensitization workshop held in the Al Buraiqeh district, Aden governorate. Household surveys were conducted in the Al Dergag community, Abyan governorate, and the Al-Musaymir community, Lahj governorate, with 100 and 197 respondents, respectively. The program also published a request for applications (RFA) under the Peacebuilding Grants Fund (PGF) on April 30, with a closing date of June 3, 2021. YCST's Phase 3 projects focused on stabilization activities, with two projects completed in the Abyan governorate, Zinjibar district, and three projects underway. The program also coordinated third-party monitoring and verification efforts for the Al-Nabyah Water Supply Enhancement Project, conducted routine monitoring of three projects, and finalized a list of key informants from four governorates for baseline survey interviews. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on YCST's activities, with new infections peaking in early-April and then falling sharply by the end of the month. The government of Yemen declared a health emergency in response to the second wave of COVID-19 infections and implemented a partial curfew in some localities. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, YCST reported no significant delays in the completion of its initiatives, activities, and projects.