Yemen

Only 50 % of the urban and 45 % of the rural population of Yemen, a low-rainfall country (150 cbm/c/a), have secure access to water, while in the towns and cities only 31 % of residents have access to the sewerage network. The scarce groundwater resources are overexploited, which is mainly attributable to excessive irrigation by farmers. This uses 90 % of available water resources. The farmers compete to dig ever deeper wells and these affect the water table, which e.g. in Sana'a falls by six to eight metres every year. The desalination of seawater is scarcely affordable especially for the fast-growing population predominantly living in mountainous regions and the hinterland. A devastating water crisis with massive distribution conflicts can now only be averted by way of major efforts on the part of all participants. KfW Development Bank and other German organisations are focusing their support in the sector on the urban water supply and waste water disposal. In view of the difficult situation regarding resources, particular attention is being paid to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

Only 64 % of adult Yemenites can read and write, and only 47 % of women. The school dropout rate is high and here too, the proportion of girls is alarmingly high. Only just under half of them complete even their primary education. In the education sector, KfW Development Bank has been active with Financial Cooperation since 1997. In the provinces of Ibb, Abyan, Hajja and Marib primary schools were established and expanded, and teaching materials procured. As the municipalities affected are closely involved in the planning of the measures, they themselves can take on responsibility, thus ensuring the schools will be maintained in the long term. Moreover, KfW Development Bank takes part in two primary and secondary education programmes that aim to improve the quality of, access to and management of education throughout Yemen. The current portfolio in the sector comprises EUR 97 million. Following the violent unrest, schools damaged by the military or refugees are now being refurbished.

Yemen has only the beginnings of a health system. There is just one doctor for every 3,000 inhabitants. In rural areas, medical care is available for only 25 % of people. Malaria, dysentery, bilharzia, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and trachoma are widespread. The country has one of the world's highest birth rates with an average of six to seven children being born to each woman. Around half of children under five are underweight. The infant mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. The politically unstable situation only goes to make matters worse. KfW is involved in family planning and reproductive health programmes. In three governorates there are voucher programmes relating to birth control and safe deliveries (entailing a financial contribution) and family planning (free of charge).

The financial sector in Yemen is weak and dominated by the state. Only 7% of Yemenites have a bank account. Since 2009, a number of micro-finance institutions have been founded with the support of international development cooperation organisations. Here too German financial cooperation has contributed EUR 6 million to revolving funding.

In partnership with the UN's World Food Programme, KfW funds food aid, because (2012 figures) 47 % of children are chronically underweight and 13 % acutely so. The food is distributed to those especially in need: pregnant and lactating women, the internally displaced and children.