# Overview

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# Programs

## expanding health care for mothers and children

Only 25 percent of women have a midwife or other trained person to help
them with delivery, and 82 children out of 1,000 die before the age of
one. To create lasting changes in the health system, USAID renovates
health clinics and other facilities, provides equipment and improves
counseling services and community health education. Over the past year,
this included training more than 700 health workers in counseling and
health education and distributing printed materials. Through mobile
health teams, USAID brought health care services to over 20,000 people
in remote areas. In addition, USAID trains midwives and improves
emergency obstetric and neonatal care. USAID also works with the
Ministry of Public Health and Population to improve management systems
and increase participation in the polio campaign.

## Improving basic education, especially for women & girls

The Government of Yemen has made the expansion of primary education a
priority. Enrollment rates are low. Only 67 percent of boys attend
primary school and even fewer girls (40%). Only 29 percent of women can
read and write; 69.5 percent of men are literate.

To assist the Government in reforming its education system, USAID has
developed new programs to improve the teaching of reading, writing and
mathematics and offers adult literacy and life skills classes. Last
year, USAID conducted in-service training for more than 1,500 teachers
and administrators and provided life-skills and adult literacy programs
in 40 communities and schools. USAID also prepares and distributes
teaching materials and textbooks, and builds schools in needy
communities.

## increasing incomes in rural areas

Poverty is pronounced in the remote areas where USAID works. The
unemployment rate as of 2003 was 35 percent, with most people employed
in agriculture and herding. To increase incomes in rural areas, USAID
will be helping small farmers, especially women, grow crops, raise
animals and find markets for their products. To provide further training
for farmers and farm-related businesses, USAID encourages reform by
collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Agriculture. USAID trains
staff at the local and national offices of the Ministry to help them
improve their services for poor farmers. Assistance is also used to
provide grants for businesses development working in the agriculture
sector.

USAID works with the U.S. Embassy to identify trade opportunities and to
expand access to regional and international markets. In addition, USAID
helps improve border and customs processes to regulate livestock trade
and inspection services for animals arriving from the Horn of Africa.

## strengthening democracy and governance

Yemen\'s government ranks below the 25^th^ percentile globally in its
effectiveness. This low ranking is indicative of much needed reform
within the Government. USAID works with reform-minded members of
parliament and committees to strengthen their skills to improve
legislation; identify policy priorities; and work in coalitions,
constituency outreach, media relations and executive oversight. In the
upcoming September 2006 elections, USAID will support the voter
registration monitoring process.

USAID also supports a tribal conflict mitigation program designed to
assist tribal leaders in their efforts to resolve longstanding conflicts
that cause senseless violence and delay much needed democratic, economic
and educational reforms. Other tribal conflict mitigation activities
include working with tribal youth to promote peaceful resolutions to
conflict through dialogue, outreach and an anti-violence youth campaign.
In addition, USAID assists the Government's decentralization efforts in
health and education by training officials at the governorate and
district levels in planning, budgeting and management.