São Paulo – Last Tuesday (13th), the World Bank announced the implementation of a plan in the next 18 months to help Yemen meet the basic needs of its population. The program will be executed during the formation of a new government to replace former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in 2011. Measures will aim to restore confidence in the country, reducing food insecurity and creating jobs.
According to the World Bank, the plan will include three strategies: the first will promote social inclusion, especially for women and young people. The second strategy will increase government transparency and strengthen Yemeni institutions. The third strategy will ensure that the World Bank’s programs in the country are flexible and able to adapt to local needs.
The program will create short-term jobs, making it easier for the population to get food and halting the spread of poverty. At the same time, the World Bank will set out to re-establish basic services and increase people’s access to a social security network.
According to a World Bank press statement, other requirements include stabilizing the economy and creating conditions for the country to start growing again. That entails improving the fiscal system, managing public finances, and allowing the private sector to drive growth and be the main source of jobs.
“Yemen is still very fragile. The government’s ability to improve the lives of ordinary Yemenis through jobs and improved services will be vital for stability, and they will need the full support of the international community to achieve this,”, said the World Bank manager for Yemen, Wael Zakout. The bank’s director for Yemen, Hartwig Schafer, said the measures will give credibility to the transitional government and enable the “foundations for development” to be laid.
The World Bank’s aid comes in the wake of a plea from the transitional government. During the 18 months of the plan, authorities will draft a new constitution and hold elections.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
