The World Bank approves grants worth 303.9 million for Yemen
English - Saturday 19 December 2020 الساعة 10:31 am
Aden, NewsYemen:
The World Bank confirmed that the Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved the provision of grants to Yemen worth $ 303.9 million to help increase access to basic services and economic opportunities for population groups affected by the ongoing conflict and the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Grants to be provided by the International Development Association - the World Bank’s fund to help the world's poorest countries - are two projects, one focusing on the emergency response to social protection and response to the Corona pandemic, and the other on education and learning.
Together, the two projects will provide vital support to populations affected by years of conflict and food insecurity even before the pandemic erupted in the country earlier this year.
Marina Weiss, Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti at the World Bank said: “The Yemeni people have shown remarkable resilience in the face of many disasters. Local Yemeni institutions that are using their strong community networks to deliver basic services to millions of Yemenis, inspiring hope for a bright future.
According to United Nations estimates, two-thirds of Yemenis (more than 20 million people) are food insecure, 10 million are at risk of starvation, and two million children need treatment for acute malnutrition.
The Corona pandemic has imposed severe pressure on an already dire health care system in which only 50% of health facilities operate, which suffer from a shortage of basic medical equipment and supplies.
