The Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project is a multi-sectoral emergency operation that aims to restore access to critical urban services in Yemen. It is financed by a US$ 150 million IDA grant that is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) over a period of three years.
The key value propositions of the project are as follows:
- Integrated urban recovery approach informed by citizen demands
- Support existing local institutions for service delivery
- Focus on early results and quick wins
- Flexible and pragmatic implementation arrangements
- Publicly accessible, GIS-based expenditure tracking system to promote transparency
- Create business opportunities for the private sector (local contractors and suppliers)
Components:
The project is structured around the following three components:
- Service Rehabilitation (solid waste management and tertiary municipal services; water and sanitation; urban transport; electricity for critical services; and housing )
- Implementation Support and Capacity Development (project implementation and management; technical assistance; citizen Engagement and needs prioritization; expenditure tracking mechanism; third-party monitoring)
- Contingent Emergency Response Component (zero cost emergency component that can be activated in the event of an eligible emergency situation)
Geographic scope:
The project will target cities in Yemen that have an estimated pre-crisis (2014) population of 50,000 people or more, or that have been covered in the Yemen Dynamic Needs Assessment. Nineteen cities qualify for the project under this criterion: Aden, Al Dhale’e, Al Hodeidah, Al Mukalla, Amran, Bajil, Bayhan, Bayt al-Faqih, Dhamar, Ibb, Lahj, Rida, Saadah, Sana’a, Say’oun, Shihr, Taiz, Yarim, and Zinjibar.
Implementation:
UNOPS is both the recipient of IDA funds and the implementing agency. The project will be implemented through direct implementation by UNOPS as well as project cooperation agreements between UNOPS and local partners, including the Public Works Project, the Urban Water Project Implementation Unit, and the Road Maintenance Fund Implementation Unit.
Key expected results:
- 1.4 million beneficiaries with restored access to critical urban services
- 600.000 people provided access to rehabilitated water and sanitation services
- 400 kilometers of rehabilitated roads
- 60.000 megawatt hours of energy generation
- 1.5 million person-days of temporary employment