Yemen Communities Stronger Together (YCST) Monthly Program Update – June 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 objective is to engage communities in an inclusive approach to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation projects. Phase 1 of the program has identified ten projects for implementation in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, and Lahj. As of June 2021, seven projects have been completed, and three projects are being implemented. The Al-Soqaya Water Supply Project was handed over to local authorities in June, and the solar power component of the Al Suraih Health Center Rehabilitation Project was completed. YCST is also entering Phase 2 communities to prepare for the implementation of further activities under Objective 1. In June, Field Medical Foundation conducted household surveys in three communities to elect Community Enhancement Committees (CECs). Three CECs were elected, and they held their first meetings in the communities of Al Kod, Nagi, and Al Shouhada. CEC trainings were conducted to build the capacity of CECs to conduct focus groups and household surveys. Focus groups were conducted in four communities, involving 202 participants, to map community stressors. Household surveys were also conducted by CECs to prioritize stressors, with 427 respondents participating. YCST's objective is also to build the capacity of formal and informal local leaders, organizations, and networks to serve as neutral arbitrators and peace builders. As of June 2021, 24 initiatives are underway, with five initiatives reporting on implementation activities and 19 initiatives completing pre-implementation preparations. YCST received 65 applications for Phase 2 initiatives, which will be supported through the Peacebuilding Grants Fund and the Women, Peace and Security Sub-fund. YCST's objective is also to promote peace by supporting local authorities' efforts to identify and pilot projects that can peaceably manage conflicts and prevent a resurgence of violence. Three projects are underway, which aim to rehabilitate a health center, several schools, and a sanitary-drainage system. YCST also conducted baseline survey interviews in Abyan, Aden, Lahj, and Hadramout governorates and collected quantitative data from households in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, and Lahj. YCST's objective is also to enhance outcomes by carrying out regular and action-oriented learning and contextual analysis to support adaptive management for enhanced outcomes. In June, third-party monitoring was completed for the Al-Soqaya Water Supply Enhancement Project, and YCST made progress on its learning agenda questions, stabilization lessons learned report, and began developing a Learning tracker for the program.