Attachments
INTRODUCTION
On 5 and 6 March 2018 in Amman, Jordan, the Protection Cluster Yemen hosted a roundtable meeting on protection in Yemen. Participation comprised UN, humanitarian actors in protection, donors and diplomatic representatives with the objective to collectively analyze the protection situation in Yemen and agree on strategic actions relating to programming, operations, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Discussions were held under Chatham House rules. This note is intended to summarize the main discussions and conclusions.
PROTECTION SITUATION
Protection Cluster colleagues presented the main drivers of protection in Yemen regarding IHL/IHRL violations, conflict-related forcible displacement, violations of human rights and weak rule of law, psychosocial support needs, negative coping mechanisms and violations of the rights of children and gender-based violence. In addition to ensuring linkages between macro-level information on civilian impact, participants stressed the importance of a specific risk/threat analysis which should underlie and inform programming. Participants discussed the critical role of the Protection Cluster and individual agencies operating within their respective mandates to inform HCT strategic decision-making and advocacy on IHL/IHRL, among others, while already possessing sufficient information to push forward with humanitarian protection responses. Issues such as female recruitment and family separation (of boys), FGM linked to displacement, marginalized communities and emergency displacement tracking were identified as potential areas to watch. Noting the difficulties of monitoring protection in Yemen, participants noted the need to focus on situations generating the highest protection risks for the conflictaffected population.
YEMEN PERSPECTIVES
Due to the difficulties of securing travel for Yemeni nationals out of Yemen, participants conducted a Q&A via video-teleconference with Yemen NGO representatives on community coping strategies, traditional protection mechanisms and operational challenges. Prior to the Q&A, Yemen NGOs had developed the following key messages addressed to international donors:
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Commit to a minimum funding package of 4% for protection programming broadly, including protection-centred livelihoods and education programs.
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Re-establish an in-country presence (or frequent visits, at a minimum) and take leadership on negotiating improved access and safety for humanitarian workers.
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Invest in rebuilding systems that provide greater legal and social security for Yemenis, including the restoration and maintenance of public services and the social protection fund.
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Fund and actively support human rights, including through empowering Yemeni civil society.
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Do not mistake humanitarian aid for a solution to Yemen’s crisis.
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Take all appropriate measures to press for the lifting of the blockade on Hodeida Port and Sana’a International Airport.
Participants noted the need to support protection activities identified as urgent priorities by beneficiaries, and likewise important to local authorities to secure access. National NGOs raised important internal needs, including funding, capacity-building as well as security and self-care. While donors expressed the availability and desire to increase funding for protection in Yemen, the challenges of funding NNGOs directly were noted and donors were requested to commit to pooled funds as a means for NNGOs to access funding. Participants agreed that communication channels could be improved to help NGOs to better understand the differing modalities, timelines and priorities of donors.