Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Location: Tamdeen Youth Foundation, Sana'a
Summary:
On March 16, 2022, at the invitation and self-support of Tamdeen Youth Foundation, a meeting was held with the members of the Civil Society Organizations' Initiative to Localize and Optimize Humanitarian Response Mechanisms in Yemen. The meeting aimed to discuss the latest achievements during the preparatory phase, review the baseline study, and outline the next steps, challenges, and proposed solutions.
Key Achievements Discussed:
1. Initial coordination with civil society organizations and various national and international actors involved in the humanitarian response in Yemen.
2. The initiative was launched in August 2021, with a copy delivered to the relevant authorities.
3. Preliminary and awareness-raising meetings were held with stakeholders from civil society organizations to introduce the concept of localization in humanitarian action, focusing on local leadership and implementation.
4. Development of a proposed program implementation plan for Phase 1.
5. Hiring a program manager.
6. Coordination with the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG), and consultation with the NEAR Network.
7. Selection of a local consultant in December 2021.
8. Completion of the initial report by the consultant (Itar Foundation) and the development of assessment and baseline study tools.
9. Meetings with several actors and government agencies in Sana'a and Aden to present the baseline study plan.
Next Steps for the Baseline Study:
1. Coordination with relevant government authorities and obtaining necessary permits.
2. Implementation of the baseline study and preparation of a preliminary draft to assess the current situation and provide recommendations.
3. Production and publication of the final report, along with advocacy for the proposed recommendations.
Challenges Highlighted:
1. The initiative is voluntary and lacks financial support, with Tamdeen Youth Foundation relying on its limited resources for implementation.
2. Lack of awareness among actors regarding the importance of localization, necessitating additional efforts and resources for awareness-raising.
3. Some international organizations and actors have not responded to the initiative or provided the necessary support.
4. The wide geographical scope and the dispersal of government agencies across northern and southern Yemen, coupled with limited resources, pose significant challenges.
Phase 1 Objectives:
1. Assess the current status of localization indicators at the national level and equip humanitarian actors and stakeholders with the knowledge and decision-making capacity to localize humanitarian action in Yemen.
2. Collaborate with all stakeholders to develop a national strategy for localization and formulate agreed-upon operational plans across the seven localization hubs.
Target Stakeholders:
1. Civil society organizations (Sana'a - Aden)
2. Government agencies (Sana'a - Aden)
3. Private sector and businesses (Sana'a - Aden)
4. International organizations
5. UN organizations and agencies
Expected Outcomes:
1. Outcome 1.1: A general framework for measuring localization performance in Yemen and a preliminary report on the baseline study.
2. Outcome 1.2: A baseline study report on current localization indicators in Yemen's humanitarian action.
3. Outcome 2.1: A national strategy for localization and a framework for measuring outcomes, developed through a participatory process with all stakeholders and based on the baseline study's results.
4. Outcome 2.3: Operational plans for each sector, reviewed and agreed upon by all stakeholders, with advocacy and support for implementation.
Participants:
1. Abdul Qawi Hijab, Tamdeen Youth Foundation
2. Ebtisam Al Sharafi, Itar Foundation
3. Seba Al Hakimi, Itar Foundation
4. Nada Khalid Assaj, Al-Aman Organization for Blind Women Care
5. Omaimah Abdullah Al Masaoudi, Al-Aman Organization for Blind Women Care
6. Arwad Al Khateeb, Taaioch Foundation for Rights and Development
7. Ammar Al Ashwal, Tamdeen Youth Foundation
8. Hisham Mohammed, Tamdeen Youth Foundation
9. Hamza Al Sanafi, Building Foundation for Development
10. Salah Aldeen A Fotihi, Abs Organization
11. Ghaleb Al Banna, Field Medical Foundation
12. Othman Ali Al Maqtari, Yemeni Development Network
13. Hamdi Al Alimi, Itar Foundation
14. Bashar Mohammed, Itar Foundation
15. Fares Al Aliy, Itar Foundation
16. Abdulrahman Al Asli, Itar Foundation
17. Amani Al Kumaim, Life Makers Meeting Place Organization
