World Bank Approves $100 Million Grant to Support Nutrition , Livelihoods in Yemen

ADEN — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $100 million grant to Yemen aimed at improving nutrition and strengthening livelihoods for vulnerable families amid the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

In a statement, the Bank said the funding, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), will support the Cash-for-Nutrition and Livelihoods Project, to be implemented by UNICEF in partnership with Yemen’s Social Fund for Development. 

The initiative will target 1.8 million people across 15 governorates, with a focus on mothers and children under two years old. 

Women are expected to make up at least half of the beneficiaries, with special emphasis on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Beyond cash transfers, the project will promote sustainable livelihoods. Around 55,000 people will join village savings and loan associations to access financing for income-generating activities. 

More than 675,000 individuals will receive national ID cards and birth certificates, enabling better access to financial services and economic participation.

Stefan G. Nalletamby, World Bank Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, said the project combines immediate support with long-term tools to help communities build resilience. “Investing in human capital is a cornerstone for Yemen’s recovery,” he noted.

The program also includes a digital micro-work initiative for about 2,000 young people aged 18–35, half of them women. Participants will receive training in digital skills, tablets, and internet access to perform online tasks for global employers, opening new pathways for income.

The Bank emphasized that the project is designed to address both urgent humanitarian needs and structural challenges, aiming to strengthen household resilience and foster inclusive economic recovery in Yemen.