Supporting existing safe spaces in Yemen is essential for enhancing the resilience and well-being of communities affected by conflict. These safe spaces offer crucial services such as psychological support, educational opportunities, and protection for vulnerable groups, including women and children. By backing these initiatives, we can help ensure that these safe spaces continue to provide a sanctuary where individuals can heal, learn, and rebuild their lives.

UNDP Yemen’s Social Protection to Provide Social Cohesion in Vulnerable Communities in Yemen Project, generously funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, aims to enhance social cohesion and provide essential support to vulnerable communities. The project has supported six safe spaces in Aden, Hadramout, and Lahj governorates in Yemen. Organizations such as the Yemeni Women's Union, D’am for the Protection of Women and Children, Basma Organization for Women and Children, and Belqis Development Association are providing support for people in needs at the spaces. These organizations offer confidential counseling services to residents of the target districts, aiming to immediately identify issues that could create tension among community members. 

In addition to these services, the project focuses on spreading awareness, enhancing reporting and complaints channels, and conducting various workshops for capacity building and education. These workshops support mental health, address psychological trauma, rebuild self-confidence, improve family relationships, and enhance community roles. During sessions, men and women from each community come together to discuss how they can support vulnerable individuals.

Involving community members in these discussions is crucial for fostering a collective understanding of the importance of safe spaces. These sessions provide a platform for open dialogue, where participants can share their experiences and insights. By engaging both men and women, the workshops emphasize that creating a safe environment for all community members is a shared responsibility. This collective approach helps to break down stigma, encourages reporting of incidents, and promotes a culture of mutual respect and protection. 

Ibtisam, a family counselor, explained that during her sessions, she focuses on the importance of self-confidence among the women who visited Basma Organization for Women and Children, noting that enhancing self-confidence is an essential step in rebuilding a healthy and stable life. She presented practical exercises to enhance confidence, such as positive thinking techniques and self-affirmations. She also talked about how to improve family relationships, especially in the case of children or spouses, stressing the importance of dialogue and mutual respect. "I concluded my session by presenting live examples and experiences of women who were able to build healthier family relationships," she notes.

Supporting safe spaces can make a significant impact, fostering a sense of security and hope for more cohesive communities in Yemen. Together, we can strengthen these vital resources and contribute to the ongoing recovery and development of the region.

Social Worker Saleh emphasizes the importance of safe spaces, stating, "Through these efforts, we build safe and prosperous communities for everyone."

The Social Protection to Provide Social Cohesion in Vulnerable Communities in Yemen Project seeks to contribute to reduced vulnerability and strengthened resilience and social cohesion of targeted affected communities in Yemen through the creation of sustainable livelihoods and promotion of peacebuilding initiatives. This project is funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). The project targets the most vulnerable groups, including women, youth, unemployed Yemenis, marginalized groups such as Muhamasheen, Internally Displaced Persons, and people with disabilities, in six districts across Aden, Hadramaut and Lahj governorates. The project promotes local-level engagement of community institutions in identifying community priorities and implementing initiatives that tackle vulnerability to shocks and crises.