The Netherlands* 30 years of support for Yemen (Local)

SANA?A Oct. 31 ? When you visit rural areas* it is evident how grateful Yemenis are to the Netherlands. Speaking to women* children and even the older generation* you quickly realize how Dutch projects have changed or enhanced their lives.The Netherlands is one of the largest donors to Yemen. Throughout thirty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries* Dutch development projects have reached the farthest corners of Yemen focusing on the water* education and health sectors.The problem of the scarcity of water resources as a result of over-exploited aquifers is one of the most complex development problems and most serious challenges facing Yemen. The Netherlands* with all its expertise in this field* has been playing a leading role in supporting water management and rural water supply* in addition to coordinating other major donors in the water sector* such as the World Bank and Germany. Yemen's first Water Management Action Plan was implemented in Taiz with Dutch funding. At the end of 2004 the ministry presented a multi-annual policy and strategy for the water sector for 2005 to 2009* the first of its kind* aimed at achieving the seventh Millennium Development Goal of environmental sustainability* in particular reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.According to Development Cooperation Minister Bert Koenders who came on a three-day visit to Yemen last week to mark 30 years of bilateral relations* "Dutch aid to Yemen amounts to around EUR 26 million from the embassy* in addition to Dutch contributions through the aid of European Union* World Bank and United Nations.""We are planning to continue to work with Yemen on the basis of the priorities that have been given by the Yemeni government with special emphasis on rural water supply*" he added.The Netherlands gives an annual EUR 25 million to Yemen* with a significant focus on improving the position of women and girls. The main programs are: education (EUR 8.5 million)* water (EUR 6.5 million) and health care (EUR 5.5 million). Dutch aid is also aimed at poverty reduction (EUR 1 million)* good governance and human rights (EUR 1 million)* care for Somali refugees (EUR 0.5 million)* and improving the business climate (EUR 0.5 million)."I would underline the need to focus on sustainable development as a key component for democratic stability in this region*" said Koenders.The Netherlands has also increased humanitarian aid for Somali refugees in Yemen to EURO one million. The Dutch minister agrees that the increasing number of refugees is an extra burden on Yemen. He also expressed his appreciation to Yemen for welcoming refugees and he hopes that other refugees from other countries in the horn of Africa will also be received according to the United Nation?s High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Conventions.The Netherlands' main assistance in education is given to the Basic Education Development Strategy through the multi-donor Basic Education Development Project. Besides building new schools for the rapidly growing population* it focuses on strengthening the policy capacity of the Ministry of Education. Dutch support gives a special emphasis also for the role of women. "We have seen in many countries that the empowerment of woman in education is the best engine for development*" said Koenders. Furthermore* Netherlands provides fellowships for Yemenis to pursue higher education abroad* encouraging more women to apply* and supporting tailor-made courses. Regarding the piracy issue in the Gulf of Aden* the Netherlands is sending one frigate to the area at the request of the World Food Program (WFP) to accompany WFP ships that travel from Mombassa to Mogadishu in order to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach the people of the country* Koenders explained. "My responsibility as Minister of Development Cooperation is to insure that the long term development of this country can contribute towards strengthening the people of Yemen*" Koenders said. "The Netherlands is here and our presence is welcome as a country without a hidden agenda."With an emphasis on programs to improve reproductive health and family planning* the Netherlands support improved health systems in Yemen. "I am especially looking at the enormous necessity to reduce maternal mortality in this country" Koenders said. Dutch Development Cooperation Minister Bert Koenders* Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Affairs Abdul Karim Al-Arhabi and Minister of Public Health and Population Abdul-Karim Rase have signed two agreements of additional Dutch support worth USD 36 million for mother and child health programs in Yemen. "Development is partnership* and in the health area it's particularly important that the government outlets in this country provide help to match external support*" said Koenders.Regarding the recent serious flooding that hit the southeast of the Yemen* the Dutch minister noted how these areas require a lot of reconstruction and asked the UN to speed up its assessment of the situation and determine exacts needs and so the Netherlands can assist.According to Minister of Planning and International Affairs Abdul Karim Al-Arhabi* the Netherlands is generous in supporting Yemen not only in their support ? both technical and financial* but also in their response to Yemen?s priorities. "We hope the support will expand from development to other areas like investment* trade and cultural cooperation*" he added. Decentralization is a very important step for Yemen* and its implementation has also started in the sector of development cooperation in different governorates* according to Koenders. ?Decentralization is very important in development* especially as far as women's education women's health is concerned* [as it brings these issues] close to citizens*? he said.The Netherlands* through the UNDP* supported the implementation of the government?s decentralization efforts."We can work even more with the government and the evaluation in 2010 will play a role in determining that*" Koenders concluded....

المزيد...