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Middle East and North Africa Department, |
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Map courtesy of the FCO | |
Yemen
Yemen, located at the end of the Arabian Peninsula, is a stunningly beautiful
country with a breathtaking landscape and fascinating culture. Home to the Queen
of Sheba during the 10th Century BC, it is now attracting a growing number of
tourists. Since unification in 1990, Yemen has been modernising and opening up
to the world, but it still maintains much of its tribal character and
long-standing customs.
In spite of recent progress and a reform minded government, Yemen is still a low
income state with high levels of poverty. On the UNDP Human Development Index
Yemen is ranked 153 out of 177 countries. Female literacy is 34%; the annual
population growth rate is 3% and 35% of the population live under the poverty
line.
Yemen faces a series of daunting challenges which threaten its future prosperity
and stability. These include high unemployment, rapid population growth and
water scarcity, declining oil revenues, volatile local level conflict and
regional instability.
What DFID is doing in Yemen
DFID’s overall approach in Yemen is based on the Fragile States Principles,
with a focus on poverty reduction, state-building, improving international donor
behaviour and promoting long term engagement with Yemen. To help tackle these
challenges DFID is increasing its commitment to Yemen to £50m a year by 2011.
This represents an increase of 400% from 2006/07 commitments and a total of
£117m over 2007-11. DFID is currently developing a 3 year country plan for
Yemen, and conducting a consultation process.
Consultation about future direction of the Yemen programme.
DFID and the Government of Yemen (GoY) signed a 10 year Development Partnership
Arrangement (DPA) in August 2007. The arrangement was signed on behalf of the UK
government by the Parliamentary under Secretary of State Shahid Malik, on his
first overseas ministerial visit. He remarked “Yemen’s future is by no means
certain, but the strong partnership and friendship with the UK will help provide
vital support in its next phase of development as a nation.”
DFID will be supporting the Government of Yemen by:
- Working with the GoY to improve economic opportunities for poor people
- Helping the GoY to be more capable, accountable and responsive.
- Investing in people, with a focus on education, especially for girls.
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Last updated 15 September 2008
