Al-Aradah Discusses Expanding UNDP’s Resilience Project with UNDP Delegation

Major General Sultan al-Arada, Vice President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Marib, met today with a delegation from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to discuss the expansion of the Project to Enhance Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY).

Al-Arada highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, particularly in Marib, which is grappling with a large influx of displaced persons and a weakened infrastructure. He commended UNDP’s past efforts and urged the organization to scale up its interventions to address the growing humanitarian needs and support local authorities in their recovery efforts.

The PLC VP emphasized the importance of expanding SIERY to strengthen local governance, enhance service delivery, and stimulate economic growth. He called for aligning the project with the priorities outlined in the upcoming humanitarian response plan.

Maarten Van Driel, UNDP’s SIERY Coordinator, explained that the visit to Marib is part of a broader field assessment to monitor project implementation and identify additional needs. He reiterated the project’s focus on local economic development, public-private partnerships, and addressing the challenges posed by displacement, population growth, and emergency needs.