A national forum aimed at localizing humanitarian and development work in Yemen was launched today, Thursday, July 25, 2024. The announcement came at the conclusion of a program designed to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations in sustainable humanitarian and development work in Marib Governorate (eastern Yemen).

The program, implemented by the Global Relief and Development Organization (ANSAR) in partnership with the Awys Al-Qarni Foundation and under the supervision of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), targeted representatives from 40 organizations in its first phase. Over three days, participants were trained on the principles, rules, objectives, and foundations of governance according to international organization standards.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Salah Al-Qayyadi, head of the Awys Al-Qarni Foundation, emphasized the importance of launching this forum to create a supportive environment for civil society organizations to build their capacities and lead to improved localization. He called on all organizations interested in development and humanitarian affairs in Yemen to join the forum through its various official platforms and work together to achieve common goals towards sustainable development and the advancement of Yemen within a short period.

Dawoud Alouh, director of ANSAR, explained that the forum aims to mobilize organizational and civil society efforts towards localizing humanitarian and development work, as well as to connect with stakeholders to identify points of convergence that accelerate the localization process. He noted that the forum will bridge the gap between local organizations and international donor agencies and contribute to driving development, diversifying interventions, and improving their quality according to need-based plans.

Ezzedine Al-Omari, coordinator of the local organization capacity-building program in Marib Governorate, pointed out that participants in the program issued several recommendations, all of which emphasized the importance of organizations and relevant official bodies preparing a directory of development needs for Marib Governorate in the coming period.