News in 2013

Yemen, JICA extend Girls' education Project (BRIDGE)

[22/December/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Yemen and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed here on Sunday on extending the Developing Girls' Education Project (BRIDGE) for a period of two years and nine months. The extension agreement was signed by Education Minister Abdul-Razaq al-Ashwal and Chief Representative of JICA Egypt and Yemen Office Hideki Matsunaga. Under the agreement, Japanese experts are to be sent to Yemen to discuss the possible activities to be implemented under the project according to the interventions that will be agreed upon. In addition, the agreement lays down to expand the local initiative for developing girls' education to cover also developing the community participation and managing the schools' operational expenditures. The BRIDGE project was suspended in March 2011.

Hadi congratulates Japanese Emperor, President of Libyan Congress

[22/December/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi sent on Sunday a congratulatory cable to Emperor of Japan, Akihito, on the occasion of the friendly Japanese people's celebrations on the emperor's birthday day. President Hadi also sent a congratulatory cable to President of the General National Congress in the State of Libya, Nuri Ali Abu Sahmain, on the occasion of the brotherly Libyan people's celebrations on the Independence Day.

Interior Minister meets Japanese ambassador

[18/December/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Interior Minister Abdul-Qader Qahtan met here on Wednesday with Japanese ambassador in Sana'a Katsu Yoshie Hayashi. During the meeting, Qahtan and Hayashi discussed the areas of security cooperation between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them. The Interior Minister hailed the role played by the government of Japan in supporting development and stability in Yemen. Hayashi expressed the hope that the National Dialogue Conference to achieve the Yemeni people's aspirations of a secure and prosperous Yemen.

Japan provides US$5.6 mln to food-insecure IDPS in Yemen

[10/December/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed gratitude to Japan for its latest contribution of US$5.6 million, which will be used to provide wheat flour and pulses to food insecure and vulnerable internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yemen. "This donation brings Japan's contributions to our current emergency operation to nearly US$30 million, making Japan our second largest donor," said WFP Yemen Representative and Country Director Bishow Parajuli. "We are extremely grateful for Japan's considerable and consistent support, which has proven crucial in assisting the most vulnerable." A special handover ceremony took place today at WFP's warehouse in Sana'a to mark the donation, attended by Japan's Ambassador to Yemen, Katsuyoshi Hayashi, together with Yemeni Government representatives and staff from the Japanese Embassy and WFP. "The government of Japan is eager to contribute to alleviating the suffering caused by food shortages across Yemen, which is going through a very critical juncture on the humanitarian and political fronts," said Ambassador Hayashi. "We hope this new food assistance will contribute to the effort which has been made by Yemeni people to stabilize the country through the political transitional period."

WFP is currently providing assistance to more than 5 million people in Yemen; these include 600,000 IDPs; 325,000 children under two years with malnutrition prevention activities; 200,000 children under five with malnutrition treatment activities; 157,000 pregnant and nursing mothers with nutrition support; and 3.8 million people who are food insecure.

In July 2014, WFP will launch a new two-year relief and recovery operation worth US$500 million to reach some 6 million people with a range of activities, including school feeding, cash and food for work, and nutrition support interventions, as well as relief assistance for the most food insecure. "This new operation reflects a gradual shift from providing relief to building recovery and resilience, helping people overcome barriers to food and nutrition security and manage the consequences of conflict and natural stresses," said Parajuli. "However, its success will depend on the continued generosity of major donors such as Japan."

FM meets in Tokyo with President of JICA

[05/December/2013]

TOKYO (Saba) - Foreign Minister Dr.Abu Bakr al-Qirbi met with President of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka. During the meeting, they reviewed the programs and projects implemented by the Japanese Agency in the countries of the region, including Yemen, and the positive effects of these projects in improving the standard of living in the targeted communities, especially in the remote areas. Al-Qirbi hailed the projects of the Agency in Yemen, where Japan is one of the development partners. He called on the agency to resume its activities in Yemen, especially after the return of stability and the improvement in the security situation in Yemen, underlining the importance of the resumption of financing projects of water, health and education in rural areas and contributing to tackling water problems in cities. He pointed out that the situation in Yemen continues to improve and that the government is making efforts to strengthen security and stability, and that there are many United Nations agencies and other international agencies working in Yemen, and the time has come for the return of the activities of the Japanese Agency. For his part, President of Japanese Agency affirmed the importance of the visit of the Foreign Minister to Japan, and that the agency would work on the return of their activities completely in Yemen. Tanaka noted that the Agency's activities were not stopped since their departure, but the training and capacity-building programs continued in Yemen, and they will wait for the approval of the Japanese Foreign Ministry on the return of the Japanese experts to Yemen.

The Foreign Minister Dr.Abu Bakr al-Qirbi delivered a lecture this morning, the Japanese Institute for Middle East Research reviewing the stages of the contemporary political history of Yemen. He also reviewed the phases of the dialogue between the various political forces in Yemen before the events in the region in 2011.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister met on the sidelines of his visit with ambassadors of Arab countries accredited in Tokyo and reviewed with them the Japanese-Arab relations and the role of Arab ambassadors in developing Japanese-Arab relations so as to serve Japan and Arab countries.

Yemeni-Japanese talks in Tokyo

[04/December/2013]

TOKYO (Saba) - An official meeting was held on Wednesday in the Japanese capital Tokyo between Yemen and Japan, co-chaired by the two foreign ministers, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi and Fumio Kishida. During the meeting, al-Qirbi and Kishida reviewed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them in addition to the current regional and international developments. Al-Qirbi briefed Kishida on Yemen's current political situation and the challenges the country faces, including economic, political stability and security challenges, stressing the importance of Japan's support for Yemen to reduce these challenges. The Yemeni official also stressed his country's readiness to set up an active economic partnership with Japan, calling for Japanese companies to invest in Yemen. For his part, the Japanese Minister told al-Qirbi that Tokyo will strengthen its support for Yemen's coast guard capacity-building aimed at the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden. Kishida also told al-Qirbi of Japan's readiness to support Yemen's nation-building efforts and its efforts to combat al-Qaeda-linked militants in the country.

FM Minister discuss with Japanese officials cooperation sides

[02/December/2013]

TOKYO (Saba) - Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi met on Monday with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister, Makino Taco, within the program of his visit to Japan. At the meeting, al-Qirbi thanked Japan for the official invitation, stressing that the visit would contribute to exchange views and discuss areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He pointed out that Yemen consider Japan as a friendly and important contribution country to the development projects and humanitarian aid in Yemen, and expressed his desire from the Japanese companies to play a role in exploring investment opportunities in various areas in Yemen. He also briefed the Japanese envoy on the latest political developments on the Yemeni arena and the progress achieved in the national dialogue. The minister valued the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s states and their adoption of the GCC initiative to get Yemen out of its political crisis. He noted to the importance of Japan's role in providing technical assistance and support for development projects that would help to alleviate poverty and create employment opportunities in Yemen, as well as to support the security forces and army in their efforts to combat terrorism. The minister also highlighted to the fulfillment of Japan's commitments to the delivery of ships to support the Coast Guard for their importance in combating piracy, human smuggling and drugs. For his part, the Japanese official made clear that Japan has experience in helping countries during transition periods, confirming that Japan would continue to assist Yemen in these circumstances.

From the other hand, the Foreign Minister also met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Institute of Energy Economics, Masakazu Toyoda. The Institute's CEO gave a brief introduction on the institute's activities and its interest in energy issues in Japan, including nuclear energy and environmental issues related to them, as well as geopolitical influences that affect them.

FM to visit Japan soon

[28/November/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi is to begin next Sunday a five-day visit to Japan. During the visit, at the invitation of the Japanese government, al-Qirbi will hold talks with Japanese Foreign Minister and a number of officials at the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Economy as well as at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The talks aim to assess aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discuss future prospects for improving the mutual relations in various fields, as well as reviewing the developments on the regional and international arenas of common interest. The Foreign Minister returned home on Thursday after taking part in the joint meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which was held Wednesday in Kuwait to prepare for the GCC summit slated for next December.

FM meets Japanese ambassador

[25/November/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Foreign Minister Dr.Abu Bakr al-Qirbi met on Monday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi. During the meeting, they reviewed the issues that will be discussed during the visit of Dr.al-Qirbi to Japan early in December, as well as the bilateral relations between Yemen and Japan and ways of enhancing them.

Yemen, Japan discuss cooperation in fishery field

[13/November/2013]

SANA'A, (Saba) - Minister of Fisheries Wealth Awad al-Socotri discussed here on Wednesday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi sides of cooperation relations between Yemen and Japan in fishery field and means to enhance them. The meeting reviewed the invitation of the Japanese Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economy, Trade and Industry as well as of the Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi to attend the 3rd Japan-Arab Economic Forum that is to be held from 16 to 17 December, 2013 in Tokyo. It also dealt with the importance of cooperation between Yemen and Japan in the field of fisheries research, as well as in providing research vessel to Yemen and rehabilitate Aden Aquatic Center.

Yemen, Japan review security coordination

[11/November/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Interior Minister Abdul-Qader Qahtan reviewed on Monday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi the security coordination between the two friendly countries. Qahtan and Hayashi discussed the means to enhance the mutual cooperation in enhancing the capacities of the Yemeni coastguards. The Minister valued highly the assistances provided by the Japanese government to Yemen in all areas. Hayashi expressed Japan's adherence to continue its support to Yemen in all fields, topped by the security, praising the successes made by the National Dialogue Conference (NDC).

Arrangements for visit of Japanese FM to Yemen discussed

[10/November/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr al-Qirbi discussed on Sunday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen, Katsuyoshi Hayashi, arrangements for Japanese Foreign Minister's visit to Yemen and issues to be discussed during the visit. The meeting also dealt with the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing and developing them.

JICA trains Yemeni engineers on connecting electrical cables in Jordan

[27/October/2013]

AMAN (Saba) - A specialized training course started on Sunday in the field of connecting electrical cables, which is organized by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in cooperation with the Jordanian National Electricity Company. The course aims over the past 18 days to give 10 engineers of the Public Corporation for Electricity technical methods and new instructions in the field of cables installation, maintenance, designs and connection, and how to identify malfunctions and cables test procedures according to the criteria and technical procedures. A press release issued by "JICA" pointed out that this course comes within the training programs implemented by the Agency for cadres of Yemen to take advantage of modern technology and Jordanian expertise in order to develop the technical skills of engineers and technicians in the Public Corporation for Electricity in Yemen to keep up with the growing demand for electricity supply in Yemen.

Yemen to partake in Minamata conference on mercury in Japan

[05/October/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - The Minister of Water and Environment Abdu Razaz Saleh headed on Saturday to Japan to participate in the mercury conference to be held in the city of Minamata during the period (October 6-11). In a statement to Saba, the minister explained that the conference will discuss a number of topics relating to banning the spread of mercury and touch on its dangers and threat to humans and environment, as well as the signing of the participating countries on the Minamata Convention on mercury. For his part, the national coordinator of the Minamata Convention, Murad al-Faqih, indicated to the interest out country will gain by signing this agreement, through getting a package of aid and technical support for the establishment of a specialized unit in reducing the prevalence of mercury in Yemen.

Election officials continue training in Japan

[02/October/2013]

TOKYO (Saba) - Officials from the Supreme Committee for Elections and Referendum (SCER) are attending a training programme in the Japanese capital Tokyo. The programme is being sponsored by the General Assembly for Elections in Japan in coordination with the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA). The training included lectures on the police efforts to combat electoral irregularities, election campaign regulations and regulations to ensure the integrity of elections as well as the punishments imposed on electoral violations. Lectures also included the rules of electoral management and aspects of modern management of the elections as well as democracy and the types of political systems and types of party systems.

Yemen, Japan talk on cooperation in medial field

[29/September/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Information Minister Ali Ahmed al-Amrani discussed on Sunday with Japanese Ambassador to Yemen Katsuyoshi Hayashi cooperation areas between the two countries in media field and ways of enhancing them. The minister voiced his thanks to the Japanese government for the grant allocated for purchasing equipments for Yemen satellite channel for the purpose of strengthening its capacity in transferring news and the results of the national dialogue in Yemen. He expressed his hope for further cooperation between Yemen and Japan, hailing the grants provided by Japan for the development of Yemeni satellite channel. For his part, the Japanese ambassador confirmed that his country's government approved the use of the unallocated amount of $218 thousand by the Ministry of Information as a grant for the purchase of equipments and devices for Yemen channel.

Yemen participates in JATA Tourism forum, Travel Showcase

[17/September/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Activities of JATA Tourism forum and Travel Showcase 2013 was concluded on Monday in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, with the participation of Yemen along with 150 other countries around the world. Tourism Minister Qasim Sallam made clear that Yemen's participation in the forum, which was held on 12-16 of September, was distinctive in view of the wide turnout by visitors to the Yemeni pavilion. He also noted to the significance of promoting the Yemeni participation in the future to contribute in highlighting the civilization, culture and tourism features of Yemen and to increase the movement of Japanese tourists coming to Yemen as well.

Japan earmarks USD 220,000 of its contribution to ICRC for Yemen

[19/August/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - The government of Japan has decided to earmark for Yemen as humanitarian assistance a sum of USD 220,000 which will be donated to ICRC to contribute to mitigating the severe humanitarian situation. In a press release by the Japanese embassy in Sana'a, the abovementioned Japanese assistance will be utilized to implement various assistance programs of ICRC, under the consideration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen. "It is worth mentioning that Japan contributed in March 2013 a sum of USD 47.2 million through UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and WHO to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen", the embassy added.

Yemen, Japan discuss activating areas of cooperation

[20/July/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Dr.Abdul Hafiz Numan on Saturday discussed with Japanese ambassador to Yemen activating of cooperation areas between Yemen and Japan in the field of technical education. They reviewed the workflow in the implementation of the vehicles section rehabilitation project at Thahban Institute in Sana'a, which is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as the possibility of implementing similar projects in the other sections. They touched on the possibility of the Japanese side contribution to supporting and providing moveable training units in the Island of Socotra in the field of boats and cars maintenance, as well as the possibility of presenting assistance in rehabilitating a number of sections in the Marin Institute in Aden within the JICA-funded project. In the meeting, Numan hailed the efforts made by JICA in providing support and assistance for developing the programs of technical education and vocational training in some technical and vocational institutes. For his part, the Japanese ambassador to Yemen, Katsuo Yoshi Hayashi, confirmed his country's readiness to support and provide the training units in Socotra by $100 thousand in coordination with the local authority in the Island. The ambassador pointed out that the unstable security situation in Yemen plays a role in hindering the bilateral cooperation projects, especially in the field of technical education and vocational training. He expressed his optimism that the results of the National Dialogue Conference would contribute to stabilizing the situation in Yemen in General.

Yemen seeks to benefit from Japan's experience in service projects

[06/July/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Mayor of the capital Sana'a Abdul-Qader Helal discussed on Saturday with Japan's envoy to Yemen, Catso Yoci, how to benefit from Japan's experiences in field of services and developmental projects. Helal confirmed the importance of benefitting from Japanese experiences in the field of technical education and vocational training and studying the options of establishing roads network to reduces traffic jams in the main streets, as well as generating power from the solar energy and the Japan's participation in designing and establishing the May 22 Park, 2011. For his part, the Japanese ambassador gave Helal an invitation to visit Japan to be familiar with the economic and social activities and to exchange views so as to strengthen the cooperation relations between the two countries.

More than US$15 mln to support electoral process in Yemen

[26/May/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - The United Kingdom, Sweden and Japan announced on Sunday a contribution of US $15,200,000 in support of the coming voter registration, referendum and electoral process in Yemen. This support will be channeled through the Multi-donors Basket Fund, administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and will serve to bolster the implementation of the Support to the Elections during the Transitional Period (SETP) project in Yemen. The SETP project aims to support the planning and administration of voter registration, the constitutional referendum, and remaining elections of the transitional period; to support inclusive electoral legal framework reform and to increase participation of civil society, political parties, women, youth and persons with disabilities in electoral processes. The contributions of United Kingdom [US $9,200,000], Sweden [US $4,000,000] and Japan [US $2,000,000] were confirmed by their representatives in Yemen at a press conference organized by the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum (SCER) and UNDP.

The Chairman of the SCER, Mohammed Hussein Haidar Al-Hakimi, stated that "this support is integral in assisting the SCER in the implementation of the electoral events envisioned during the transitional process". Gustavo Gonzalez, UNDP Senior Country Director, highlighted that "these contributions not only demonstrate the commitment of international partners to support the Yemeni transition, but also their trust on the capacities of SCER to conduct the coming elections. An important part of this financial support will be allocated to the preparation of the new voters registry, which remains a major challenge for Yemen and its partners", he added. The UNDP Multi-donors Basket Fund (MDBF) is a large donor's platform to support the electoral cycle in Yemen, composed of the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, United Nations Peace Building Fund and UNDP. This platform will shortly be reinforced by the participation of The Netherlands and Turkey. Through the MDBF, UNDP will technically and financially assist the SCER in assessing, planning and fostering partnership in support of the elections, while also developing national capacities through obtaining knowledge from global experiences. Through the previously established Multi-Donor Basket Fund, UNDP will support the implementation of critical electoral operations as envisioned in the transitional period. In addition to the MDBF, voter registration and the electoral processes in Yemen are also benefiting from bilateral contributions from USAID and the European Union.

Emergency food assistance to 900000 Yemenis

[29/April/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - WFP, the Japanese embassy in Sana'a and Islamic Relief have launched a project in the Bani Matar district of Sana'a governorate to deliver 25,000 metric tons emergency food assistance to 900,000 hungry Yemenis in need of help. WFP Country Director Bishow Parajuli, Japanese Ambassador Katsuyoshi Hayashi and the Country Director of Islamic Relief in Yemen, Hashim Awnallah, took part in the event. The project, the first stage in a larger WFP programme to reach 3.9 million food insecure people across the country, is being implemented by WFP partner Islamic Relief Yemen. Under the programme, each household receives a two-month ration of 50 kilograms of wheat, 10 kilograms of beans and 5 litres of vegetable oil. The Government of Japan, which recently donated US$25 million to support WFP activities in the country, provided the wheat for the beneficiaries. The vegetable oil and the beans were donated by the United States, which recently gave WFP a US$15 million donation.

Japan to train SCER's cadres on election preparation

[22/April/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japan on Monday invited cadres of the Supreme Committee for Election and Referendum (SCER) to take part in a training program organized by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). During his meeting with SCER's head Mohammed al-Hakimi, deputy ambassador of Japan to Yemen Moriyasu handed over the invitation of the Japanese government to SCER to nominate 12 of its staff to participate in the JICA training program to be held on September 23 to October 9, 2013. The program aims to raise the SCER staff's capacities in electoral systems and preparing the electoral process to guarantee holding a transparent and fair election, the Japanese diplomat said. Al-Hakimi valued highly the Japanese government's keenness to support the Committee and train its cadres.

Japan donates $25 mln food aid to Yemen

[14/April/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Yemen received on Sunday a food aid worth of $25 million donated from the Japanese government. Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mohamed al-Sa'adi said that the Japanese donation aimed to provide food aid for more than one million people in Yemen for six months. He lauded the keenness shown by the Japanese government to support the government's efforts to alleviate the suffering of the displaced people in some areas in the country due to violence. Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsuyoshi Hayashi said the government of Japan is eager to contribute to alleviating the suffering caused by food shortages across Yemen, which are occurring at a very critical juncture in the transition. "We hope this new food assistance will contribute to a stabilization of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and ensure the success of the transitional process that the Yemeni people are witnessing". The Japanese donation raised the percentage of the required finance to the WFP operations in Yemen for this year to 48 %. Japan is the largest single donor to WFP Yemen this year with almost $25 million. In 2012, Japan granted Yemen $14.6 million.

Japan welcomes launching of dialogue in Yemen

[25/March/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japanese Foreign Ministry has welcomed the launching of the national dialogue conference in Yemen. The spokesman of Japanese Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement, which Saba received a copy of it, that the national dialogue conference represents an important step for the political transition in Yemen. The statement expected that Yemen will find solutions for the various challenges facing it in a peaceful manner through the dialogue conference, pointing that Japan will continue to support Yemen's efforts to achieve the political stability.

Yemen, Japan sign grant agreements of over $467,000

[17/March/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Yemen and Japan on Sunday signed four grant and financing agreements worth over $467,000. The agreements were signed by Capital's Mayor Abdul-Qader Helal and Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi, under which the Japanese government grants $467,456 to Yemen. The agreements aim to rehabilitate a school in Bait Baos area, purchase solid waste collection trucks for Shoaoub district in the capital, support a project of improve and outfit Elaia Medical Center and build a basic education school in Dar Salm. The Japanese aid comes under the scheme called "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects" to support small-scale community-based projects in basic human needs.

Japan allots $8.6mln to back UNICEF humanitarian activities in Yemen

[16/March/2013]

SANA'A, (Saba) - UNICEF has announced that $8.6 million of the Japanese largest-ever humanitarian contribution to the organization was allocated to support its humanitarian activities in Yemen. In a press release, UNICEF said that the Japanese contribution of $189.5 million would support a wide range of projects in 35 developing countries in Africa and the Middle East including Yemen. "The $8.6 million allocated to UNICEF Yemen will help support lifesaving interventions for the most vulnerable children in the southern conflict affected governorates of Abyan, Lahj, Aden, Shabwa, Al-Bayda and Al Dhale," UNICEF said, pointing that its interventions would focus on nutrition, health, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene. In details, UNICEF said that the project would provide preventative and therapeutic nutrition services for malnourished children, pregnant women and women breastfeeding and facilitate access to life saving maternal and child interventions including immunization, prompt treatment diarrhea and pneumonia. It would also improve access to quality water and sanitation for internally displaced persons and other conflict affected children and communities as well as promoting a protective environment for children through violence prevention and psychosocial support.
In January 2013, UNICEF released the Humanitarian Action for Children Report and appealed for almost $1.4 billion for children in 45 countries and regions gripped by conflict, natural disasters and other complex emergencies. Most of the countries covered by the report have benefited from Japan's foreign aid assistance. "This contribution by the Government of Japan could not have been more timely" states UNICEF acting representative Jeremy Hopkins. "Despite positive gains made on the political and humanitarian front, the situation in Yemen remains fragile with children bearing the brunt of it." The organization said that the localized conflicts in the north and south, pervasive poverty, coupled with sub-optimal functioning of basic social services, are all conspiring to worsen the humanitarian situation in 2013. "An estimated 1 million children are affected by acute (sever and moderate) malnutrition; 7,500 children are expected to be infected with vaccine preventable diseases with serious consequences; and lack of adequate water and sanitation are impacting more than half of the Yemen population, at the risk of precipitating outbreaks high levels of diarrhea and worsening the malnutrition situation of children." The urgent priority of UNICEF at the current crucial transition stage in Yemen is to restore basic social services for vulnerable communities especially children, pregnant and lactating women in the most underserved districts in the country, Hopkins concluded. This contribution to UNICEF is part of a $47.2 million allocation in support of UN humanitarian interventions in Yemen by the government of Japan.

Japan grants over $47 mln to Yemen's dialogue, IDPs

[11/March/2013]

SANA'A, (Saba) - Japan has granted Yemen over $47 million dedicated to support several areas, topped by the national dialogue, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and medical and humanitarian fields. During his meeting with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mohammed al-Sa'adi, Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi said that the Japanese government has announced a new aid package worth of $47.2 million. The grant's sum includes $3 million to support the national dialogue conference and the 2014 presidential election and $8.6 million to support emergency medical services and primary health care in some southern areas. Japan allocates $7.6 million of its grant to provide protection and assistance for the IDPs returned to their homes in Abyan province, $25 million to provide them with foodstuffs via the World Food Programme (WFP) and $3 million to support the primary health care and emergency medical services in Abyan and some neighboring areas.

FM meets with Japanese ambassador

[13/February/2013]

SANA'A, (Saba) - Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi discussed on Wednesday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi, bilateral relations between Japan and Yemen and ways of enhancing them. They also touched on the positive developments witnessed by Yemen within the framework of the preparation for the national dialogue conference. In the meeting, the Japanese ambassador delivered an invitation to al-Qirbi from his Japanese counterpart to visit Japan to strengthen the bilateral relations and the cooperation in the issues of common concern between the two countries.

Parliament's Speaker stresses need to raise trade exchange with Japan

[23/January/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Speaker of the Parliament Yahya al-Raei emphasized on Wednesday the need to raise indicators of trade and economic exchanges between the Yemen and Japan. During his meeting with the Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi, al-Raei welcomed Japanese investors and businessmen, pointing in this regard to the investment climate in Yemen and the facilitates provided by the Yemeni laws in this field. Al-Raei appreciated the support and positive attitudes of Japan towards the Yemeni people and unity, presented an explanation on the development in Yemen and the underway preparation for convening the national dialogue conference. For his part, the Japanese ambassador confirmed the Japan's supportive position to Yemen in all fields, noting that Yemen has capacities and many bounties. Hayashi praised the positions of the Parliament and its role in the success of the political settlement through the Gulf initiative, emphasized at the same time on strengthening its role in activating the economic and commercial movement between the two countries.

Yemen, Japan discuss aid for succeeding transition

[21/January/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa held talks on Monday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Katsu Yoshie Hayashi over the Japan's aid to succeed the transitional stage in Yemen. The Premier and the Japanese diplomat also discussed the cooperation relations between the two friendly countries, topped by the Japanese aid to enhance the development trends in Yemen. Basindwa valued highly Japan's support to Yemen in various areas, particularly in the on going transitional stage, reiterating his call on all Japanese businessmen to invest in Yemen, accenting they would enjoy all merits and facilities to succeed their investments. Mr. Hayashi voiced his admiration of positive steps made to achieve the stability and security in Yemen, stressing that Japan would continue presents all aid that would maintain Yemen's unity and security. He said that the Japanese investors would visit Yemen soon to discover the investment opportunities and establish investment projects as well.

Japan trains Yemeni engineers on water harvesting in Jordan

[14/January/2013]

SANA'A (Saba) - Fifteen Yemeni engineers from Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the General Authority for Water Resources are to partake in the training course "technology of controlling surface water and groundwater" in Jordan. The course is implemented by the National Center for Agricultural Research and Guidance in Jordan and supported and financed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Technical Cooperation Programme for Training on the optimal use of water for irrigation in Yemen. A statement issued by JICA and Saba got a copy of it, pointed that the participants in the training course will receive scientific and practical knowledge about the concepts and guidelines on water harvesting and irrigation through the use of modern technology in this area for the purpose of optimum use of water for irrigation in Yemen, so as to enhance the capabilities of human resources in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Ministry of Water and Environment to contribute to the reduction of groundwater depletion and addressing the problem of water management in Yemen. The training program aims in a third country to transfer the Japanese knowledge and experience to Yemeni cadres in a more favorable environment in terms of language, culture and climate as well as creating more opportunities for cooperation between developing countries in the region. It is noteworthy that the Japanese agency has, during the past three years, send more than 200 trainees to Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan in the areas of health, education, water, electricity, agriculture and irrigation, in order to improve the capacities of the Yemeni cadres in addressing the different developmental issues.