Challenges in Yemen

Extreme weather events, including drought, flooding, and storms, are rising in Yemen.  Dry spells have become longer, leading to severe droughts projected to increase in intensity and frequency. Droughts will increase, reducing food supply, as more than 90 per cent of Yemen’s agricultural output is rain-fed. Simultaneously, typhoon periods, torrential rain, and flash flooding are intensifying and expected to worsen, further reducing soil quality and endangering populations. 

UNDP is scaling up its support in Yemen by advancing integrated solutions to climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. Together with the Ministry of Water and Environment, UNDP designs and implement strategic interventions aimed at strengthening national and local capacities in addressing climate change, disaster risk reduction, sustainable energy, and ecosystem conservation. This includes support for evidence-based policymaking and strengthening institutions all while engaging communities to build long-term resilience.

UNDP Yemen is currently implementing a diverse range of initiatives funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund, and bilateral partners. For example, within the water-energy-food security nexus, the Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture and Food Security Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank, a variety of water infrastructure, including traditional irrigation canals, water harvesting structures, community wells, and flood control systems like gabion walls in Taiz and Lahj Governorates are being rehabilitated and expanded to improve agricultural value chains as well as communities' and businesses access to water. This will not only help enhance food security but also will allow for local economic development opportunities. 

Additionally, through the GEF-funded project Building Climate Resilience for Vulnerable Groups in Rural and Urban Areas of Yemen, UNDP is supporting climate resilience in 21 districts across five governorates facing acute climate risks due to dependence on rainfed farming, degraded water sources and limited access to clean energy. By addressing these challenges, the project aims to improve water access, promoting climate-resilient farming practices, and support communities mitigate the effects of floods and droughts. To address these challenges, the project will implement community scale rainwater harvesting systems, solar-powered irrigation and water systems, early warning systems for floods and droughts, ecosystem restoration activities such as rangeland rehabilitation and reforestation, and promote climate resilient farming techniques including farmer training. These interventions aim to reduce vulnerability and enhance the adaptive capacity of communities and local institutions.

Responding to crisis

UNDP Yemen is working to address these issues through: 

• Applying an Integrated Energy-Water-Food Nexus Approach to Enhance Resilience to Climate Change in Yemen.
• Strengthening disaster preparedness and response - UNDP invests in Yemen’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events, including floods and storms. The response includes the development of early warning systems, the provision of emergency shelters, and the establishment of response teams.
• Safeguarding vulnerable Yemeni communities and their physical and economic assets from climate-induced disasters through resilient infrastructure.
• Addressing the water-conflict-peace nexus by rehabilitating water infrastructure in Yemen and empowering communities.
• Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in Yemen.
• Strengthening the policy, legal and regulatory framework for renewable energy solutions.
• Advancing solar-powered agri-food systems in Yemen.
• Improving micro, small and medium-scale enterprise access to renewable electricity.
• Providing solar-powered mini-grid for rural communities in Yemen.
• Promoting sustainable land use practices such as agroforestry and sustainable grazing to reduce the pressure on natural resources.
• Supporting the establishment of protected areas and conserving critical habitats for threatened species.
• Encouraging the participation of local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts through community-based approaches.
• Increasing public awareness and education about the value of biodiversity and the threats it faces.