Supporting local governance builds community resiliency in Ghail Bawazeer
October 10, 2024
The impact of prolonged crises in Yemen has affected the provision of basic services to local communities. Through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY) Project, support is provided to local authorities to address the needs of their communities, thanks to generous funding from the European Union. The SIERY Project is active in nine governorates across Yemen.
Agriculture is considered the backbone of the economy in Ghail Bawazeer, Hadhramaut Governorate, a district of around 2,410 square kilometers distinguished geographically by the fertility of its lands. Executive offices in the district were operating inefficiently due to several reasons, including lack of office equipment and furniture. This negatively affected the availability of office space for agriculture professionals, hindering their working conditions.
As part of efforts to strengthen local governance and the role of local authorities, a pillar for local development in the district, the Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen led several workshops and training courses for local government employees. Through the workshops, administrative and organizational skills and planning and monitoring techniques were enhanced. There was a significant focus on enhancing employees' individual and collective capacities to address the needs and priorities of the local community.
Ahlam, a member of the planning team in the Ghail Bawazeer Executive Office, says, "The planning team was formed within the directorate after the training we received. This was the first step in enhancing our capabilities in project planning for the directorate. Our main focus is on agriculture and food security projects, due to the needs we have identified in the directorate, and the impact these projects have on beneficiaries and the community as a whole."
The infrastructure of the executive offices was also improved. A new directorate building and over 24 executive offices in Ghail Bawazeer were refurbished, with necessary equipment and tools provided to facilitate administrative processes and improve efficiency. This improvement helped create an organizational environment that facilitates access to information and enhances public service.
Mr. Salem Abdulrahman Bawazeer, Director of the Agriculture Office, notes, “The support provided to the executive offices significantly helped in accommodating space for agricultural engineers to work. The presence of professionals in the offices has facilitated the provision of services to farmers in the area.”
The new directorate building allows local residents to seek out services in an improved and comfortable environment.
Mr. Salem Al-Atishi, the Director of Ghail Bawazeer District, explains, “During the project implementation, a team was formed in the district to plan and identify the district's priorities. The team started preparing several projects, which were outputs of the workshops and training received. The executive office managers have been able to bring back their staff, which helps provide services to the local community better and faster. We are also working on completing the government complex and installing furniture.”
Similar support has been provided in other areas through the SIERY Project, including capacity building for local authorities in 45 targeted districts in Sana’a, Ibb, Taiz, Hajjah. Al-Hodaydah, Aden, Lahj, Marib, and Hadramout governorates.