This is a validation of the Completion and Learning Review (CLR) for the World Bank Group’s (WBG) engagement in Yemen covering the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS, FY10-FY13) and theInterim Strategy Note (ISN, January 2013-December 2014).
... See More + Owing to data limitations and in line with the CLR, IEG’s review does not rate the program’s overall development outcome or the Bank Group’s performance. In tune with the CLR, this review assesses progress under the Bank program primarily against the ISN results framework. Yet, the ISN’s three pillars—protecting the poor, growth, and governance and public service delivery, were largely derived from the existing CAS results framework, updated to reflect the new country context, and sectoral interventions under the CAS and ISN were similar. Therefore, both the CLR and this review also report on indicators from before the ISN. All indicators will be reported based on the latest information (FY15), as done in the CLR. Yemen is one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world, strategically located in the Arabian Peninsula. Poverty, malnutrition, and unemployment are widespread, and water resources are very scarce. High dependence on hydrocarbon resources exposes the economy to external shocks. Oil production declined sharply starting in 2011 owing to damage from sabotage to oil pipelines and infrastructure, and the social unrest and sabotage activities affected investment. Private sector activity suffered, public finances and official reserves came under pressure, and inflation surged. The FY10-13 CAS program was derived from the government program as articulated in the Development Plan for Poverty Reduction (DPPR) and the National Reform Agenda. Instead of a progress report, the World Bank Group (WBG) presented an ISN to the Executive Board in October 2012, outlining an indicative program of support for the period January 2013-December 2014. The ISN’s three pillars correspond to the priorities of the government’s transition program. Implementation of the FY10-13 CAS was disrupted in 2011 by popular unrest, part of the so-called Arab Spring, and led to a temporary halt of Bank operations in Yemen and evacuation of all staff from Sana’a, the capital.
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This Country Engagement Note (CEN) FY17–FY18 sets out the World Bank Group’s (WBG) engagement with the Republic of Yemen during the ongoing conflict.
... See More + This CEN aims to support the efforts of the international community to restore peace and help move the country to stability. This CEN also seeks to implement the WBG’s new strategy for promoting economic and social inclusion and contributing to peace and stability for development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in a conflict situation. The Republic of Yemen is in the midst of a complex conflict that is causing massive physical damage, devastating the economy, causing a humanitarian crisis, and creating space for expanded operations of radical groups. The country is still in conflict, and although peace talks are ongoing the security and political difficulties on the ground remain substantial. Recognizing the challenges the Republic of Yemen is facing, the CEN has been kept flexible by design. The MENA Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for responding to the challenges of the Republic of Yemen today. The strategy shifts the Bank Group’s engagement from working around conflict and instability to targeting directly peace and stability and proposes four pillars to tackle both fronts: (a) renewal of the social contract; (b) regional cooperation; (c) resilience to refugee and migration shocks; and (d) recovery and reconstruction. During the conflict, top priority is given to preserve institutional and service delivery resilience and provide emergency support to conflict-affected poor and vulnerable Yemenis. Analytical and advisory work in the context of preparing for the post-conflict period will keep a close eye on how other elements would need to shape the post-conflict environment.
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This Country Engagement Note (CEN) FY17–FY18 sets out the World Bank Group’s (WBG) engagement with the Republic of Yemen during the ongoing conflict.
... See More + This CEN aims to support the efforts of the international community to restore peace and help move the country to stability. This CEN also seeks to implement the WBG’s new strategy for promoting economic and social inclusion and contributing to peace and stability for development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in a conflict situation. The Republic of Yemen is in the midst of a complex conflict that is causing massive physical damage, devastating the economy, causing a humanitarian crisis, and creating space for expanded operations of radical groups. The country is still in conflict, and although peace talks are ongoing the security and political difficulties on the ground remain substantial. Recognizing the challenges the Republic of Yemen is facing, the CEN has been kept flexible by design. The MENA Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for responding to the challenges of the Republic of Yemen today. The strategy shifts the Bank Group’s engagement from working around conflict and instability to targeting directly peace and stability and proposes four pillars to tackle both fronts: (a) renewal of the social contract; (b) regional cooperation; (c) resilience to refugee and migration shocks; and (d) recovery and reconstruction. During the conflict, top priority is given to preserve institutional and service delivery resilience and provide emergency support to conflict-affected poor and vulnerable Yemenis. Analytical and advisory work in the context of preparing for the post-conflict period will keep a close eye on how other elements would need to shape the post-conflict environment.
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