The Government of Yemen in collaboration with World Bank and United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the “Yemen Poverty
Assessment Report” on December 3rd, 2007 in a meeting held at
the Central Organization for Audit and Control. The launch was attended
by more than 250 participants representing high ranking government
officials, the donor community, Parliament and Shura Council members,
academia, civil society organization and the media.
This report measures poverty in Yemen in 2005/2006, and evaluates
the change in poverty compared to 1998. It also captures the effect
of the economic reform programs launched since 1995. In addition,
the report identifies better ways to target the vulnerable poor through
public action, and provides an assessment of the poverty monitoring
system in Yemen.
The Deputy Prime Minister for economic Affairs, Minister of Planning
and International Cooperation, Abdulkarim Al-Arhabi, in his statement
said “The National Poverty Reduction Strategy 2003-2005 marked
the first national initiative to reflect the government’s commitment
to the priorities of poverty reduction in its overall policies”.
However, “the achievements in reducing poverty during the past
seven years reported in the report makes the case for rigorous review
and renewal of joint efforts to fight poverty”, added Al-Arhabi.
Dr. Amin Muhyaddin, Chairman, Central Statistics Organization, added
that “The Household Budget Survey 2005-2006 was designed according
to international standards, thus its results represents the outcome
of adhering to strict standards with close consultation between the
technicians at the Central Statistical Organization, UNDP and the
World Bank ”.
“If the Government of Yemen has already embedded the Millennium
Development Goals in its national planning frameworks it is advisable
that much efforts for the remaining period of the plan need to focus
in rural areas, where almost 75% of the population resides”
commented Flavia Pansieri, UNDP Resident Representative, in her opening
remarks.
The main conclusion of the study is that poverty in Yemen declined
“It is reassuring from the report to learn that poverty –
as measured by the percentage of poor - in Yemen has declined from
about 40 percent in 1998 to 35 percent in 2005”, stated Mustapha
Rouis, World Bank Country Manager in Yemen.
“For the first time, we have developed reliable poverty projections
at the district level for Yemen” said Thirumalai G. Srinivasan,
Country Economist for Yemen at the World Bank. “The detailed
projections of poverty would help in directing development efforts
more accurately in the future” he added.
For more information please visit:
Central Statistical Organization - Yemen
Ministry of Planning
and International Cooperation
World Bank - Yemen
Last Modified on 6/07/2009 11:23 am
Yemen
