Taking the First Step with Children Living Under the Forgotten War

In Yemen, a civil war has been continuing since 2015 between Ansar Allah (Houthis), who are supported by Iran and control the north including the capital Sanaa, and the interim government which is supported by coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia and rules the southeast. Under a situation that could be called “a great powers proxy war,” Iran and Saudi Arabia moved to normalize diplomatic relations in March 2023. However, despite the war being said to be the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” it has become a “Forgotten War” due to little interest of the international community. A total of 21.6 million people, which is more than two-thirds of Yemen’s population, need assistance.

Activities in 2022

Constructing a new building at a kindergarten in short of classrooms

Prior to the official start of program in Yemen, information gathering and field surveys were conducted in 2022 while carrying out activities on a small scale. As a small-scale project, in cooperation with our local partner, “Nahda Makers Organization (NMO)”, we constructed one classroom building at AlDhia Kindergarten, a public kindergarten in Tawahi district, Aden, and installed solar panel generation system at the Tawahi District Education Office. We also conducted a survey in Yemen to monitor the project that JVC has supported. As a result of the kindergarten classroom construction, an additional 50 pupils were registered for enrollment during the course of school year, increasing the total enrollment to 310 pupils.

A scene in a classroom that we supported

Installation of solar panel system at the education office

A solar power generation system was installed at the Tawahi District Education Office, which manages the district’s education administration, enabling the use of lights, PCs, printers, and fans in the five office rooms even when the electricity supply is disrupted. Especially during the summer season, temperature can exceed 40°C and electricity supply time becomes even shorter. The old office, built during the British colonial period, was dark inside, and some staff members experienced poor health. After the installation, the office became able to continue minimum operations.

The installed solar panel generation system

Results and challenges in 2022

Urgent need to protect children and provide educational opportunities

The support for the classroom building was a great encouragement for local kindergartens including AlDhia Kindergarten, where a number of children are on waiting lists. More than 2.7 million children are said to be out of school in Yemen due to the burden of school fees and supplies, difficulty in access to schools, and lack of understanding of parents. Children displaced by the conflict are particularly unable to continue their education due to continuous evacuation, and the rate of their out-of-school attendance is high. The conflicts and bad economic situations are creating a negative impact on their well-being. Many people have concerns for their children’s development and for the future of Yemen. There is an urgent need to protect children affected by conflicts and provide them with educational opportunities.

Children in Taiz Governorate, which we plan to support

Activity plan for 2023

Child Support for internally displaced persons

With the aim of enhancing the development, well-being, protection, and resilience of children affected by conflicts, we are planning to help those internally displaced in Taiz Governorate, a province near the war zone, who are forced to live dependent on aid. We will help children get identification cards and birth registration documents that will lead to the right to education and employment. We will also operate “Child-Friendly Space,” a place for non-formal education and protection of children, with our partner NGO, NMO. In addition, we will cooperate with other local NGOs to convey information on Yemen to Japan to contribute to realizing policy recommendations.

Our staff visited Aden and talked with children at the kindergarten we support

Pupils at a primary school that NMO supported

Voices and Messages

With our friend Japan

Etidar Abdulhamid, Principal of AlDhia Kindergarten

The first day of registration for new kindergarten pupils begins with people lining up to register at around four in the morning even before we open the doors, which looks like a battlefield. And the registration gets completed in just one day. We hope that all children can attend kindergarten, providing a quality education and raising the education level for everyone. I do not have any children so I am dedicating all of my time to them. This time, our friend, Japan, solved this problem and we were able to enroll an additional 50 children. We are very grateful to Japan since there is no support for kindergartens from the UN or other organizations, but, on the other hand, there are still more than 100 children on the waiting list. We are working with the local community to convert staff rooms into classrooms and to plan the construction of new classrooms. We will continue to improve the environment and do our best for the children.

Education is a guide to a brighter future

Badr Shabeeb, Grant & Reporting officer of our partner NGO, NMO

In Yemen, educational projects are very important for the country’s development, people’s empowerment, and gender equality. In a country with conflicts and complex social and economic challenges, education is a beacon for a brighter future that will help individuals expand their potential and promote social development. In the educational project, we are providing critical knowledge and skills to Yemeni youth, such as improving literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Also, providing girls’ education will promote women’s participation in society, breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination. Education projects are an investment in Yemen’s future. By prioritizing education, we can raise an educated generation who will be able to create a more stable and prosperous society.

[Source: JVC Annual Report 2022]

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