Aden -- The World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have jointly launched a new education initiative aimed at improving access to quality learning in five governorates across Yemen, targeting some of the country’s most vulnerable and underserved communities.

Announced in June 2025, the project—part of the Sustaining Education and Learning Project—is backed by a $10 million grant from the World Bank and implemented by UNICEF. It seeks to rehabilitate schools, train teachers, and provide essential learning materials in governorates severely affected by conflict and economic collapse.

According to official statements, the selected governorates include Aden, Taiz, Lahj, Hadramout, and Al-Mahrah, where thousands of children have been deprived of formal education due to displacement, infrastructure damage, and lack of resources. The project will focus on restoring safe learning environments, supporting inclusive education for girls and children with disabilities, and strengthening local education systems.

UNICEF emphasized that the initiative is designed to build resilience within Yemen’s education sector, ensuring that children can continue learning despite ongoing challenges. The program also includes community engagement components to encourage school attendance and reduce dropout rates.

The World Bank noted that this effort is part of a broader $30 million package approved in June 2025 to support both digital financial inclusion and basic education services in Yemen. The education component reflects a strategic shift toward long-term development and institutional recovery, complementing emergency humanitarian aid.

Local education authorities have welcomed the project, calling it a lifeline for thousands of students and teachers struggling to maintain schooling under difficult conditions. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency and effectiveness.