Sanaa: The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has sanctioned US$30 million in new grants aimed at strengthening Yemen's digital financial infrastructure and supporting basic education access for children in the country's most disadvantaged regions. This financing is part of two new initiatives focused on enhancing access to crucial services and boosting institutional resilience.
According to World Bank, the first grant, amounting to US$20 million, will fund the Yemen Financial Market Infrastructure and Inclusion Project, which will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The second grant, valued at US$10 million, is designated for the Sustaining Education and Learning Project, to be executed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Yemen, beleaguered by over a decade of conflict, remains one of the world's most vulnerable and impoverished nations. The ongoing crisis has severely impacted public service provision, fragmented institutions, and eroded human capital. Presently, over 60 percent of households in Yemen report insufficient food consumption, while access to quality education and formal financial services is notably restricted, especially for women and rural communities. The World Bank's initiative is focused on delivering essential services while laying the groundwork for medium-term recovery in Yemen.
These newly approved operations form part of the World Bank's comprehensive strategy to sustain essential services, protect human capital, and fortify institutions amid Yemen’s enduring fragility. By investing in educational and digital financial systems, the World Bank, in collaboration with its partners, aims to broaden opportunities, foster inclusion, and assist communities in their journey toward recovery and stability.