KfW provides EUR 31.5 million to support conflict regions in Yemen — measures to contain the humanitarian crisis

• Water supply for 420,000 people — financing agreement for EUR 21 million signed
• EUR 5 million for poverty alleviation through family planning — also via social media
• EUR 5 million to reduce maternal and infant mortality
• 24,000 babies born safely — vouchers continue to be issued for births in selected clinics

KfW has signed three financing agreements on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to support the people of Yemen and stem the humanitarian crisis. A EUR 21.5 million agreement was signed with the Yemeni Social Fund for Development (SFD) for the short-term rehabilitation and expansion of drinking water and sanitation services in urban and rural areas. 420,000 Yemenis will benefit from the 116 individual projects.

"Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 18.8 million people suffering from long-term poverty. Due to the ongoing armed conflicts, the plight of the population has worsened significantly. The basic supply of drinking water for Yemenis is urgently needed so that the humanitarian crisis does not worsen further," said Dr Joachim Nagel, Member of the Executive Board of KfW Group.

Another EUR 5 million agreement will finance the second phase of a family planning project. The Yemeni Yamaan Foundation is implementing the financed measures. In addition to the procurement and distribution of subsidised contraceptives via the private sector, this also includes information campaigns via social media and what is known as the Shababline, which already reported receiving 62,000 calls in 2016. In the past, the Yamaan Foundation already made considerable improvements in medical care for women and poverty alleviation through family planning through its KfW-financed activities.

The third financing agreement was concluded for EUR 5 million for the subsequent phase of a voucher project to facilitate visits to selected maternity hospitals. To date, 57,500 vouchers for pre- and post-natal check-ups and medically supervised births in selected health facilities have been distributed for a symbolic price of less than one euro and 24,000 babies have been safely delivered. The new project will also include areas with particularly high concentrations of people who have been internally displaced.

"Slowing down population growth and reducing one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world are other key measures to fight poverty and improve the living conditions of people — especially women — in Yemen," said Dr Joachim Nagel.

More information on KfW Development Bank is available at:
www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de