Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, met today in the temporary capital, Aden, with Mohammed Othman, Country Director for the Middle East at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), to discuss strengthening cooperation in the implementation of development and public service projects that address Yemen’s urgent humanitarian and development needs, particularly in key sectors.

Dr. Al-Zouba emphasized the importance of supporting Yemen’s recovery and development efforts, with particular focus on the health and water sectors. She highlighted the challenges posed by funding shortages and stressed the need to mobilize additional financial support to ensure the continuity of humanitarian and development interventions.

The Minister commended the existing partnership between the Government of Yemen and UNOPS in implementing development projects and aligning interventions with the government’s national plans, noting that this cooperation has contributed to improving essential public services. She reaffirmed the importance of continuing and expanding joint efforts to deliver additional development and service projects.

For his part, the UNOPS Country Director reviewed the organization’s work in Yemen since the start of its operations, highlighting interventions across several priority sectors, including education, water, and electricity, with a focus on improving essential services.

He also outlined UNOPS’ contributions under its “Lifeline Support” approach, which has included support for food security, health facilities, the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, and road repairs.

The UN official reaffirmed UNOPS’ readiness to provide technical assistance, strengthen the capacity of national institutions, and expand support across priority sectors, particularly water and health, which remain among Yemen’s most critical development needs.