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SFD
Policies, Strategies and Mechanisms
Basic
principles guide SFD activities and investments. A variety
of social, economic, and demographic data are used to identify
areas and groups requiring assistance. Support is then targeted
to the poorest and neediest of these groups. To promote sustainability,
SFD projects are carefully assessed and monitored at every
phase. In addition, the participation of local communities
is strongly encouraged. Finally, the Social Fund has implemented
numerous mechanisms to build its monitoring, evaluation, and
organizational capacity.
Using
Data and Information
Since
its creation the SFD has compiled a state-of-the-art database
of social, economic, and population indicators. These indicators
help SFD units, and branch offices understand and address
issues related to income; poverty and its various manifestations;
and social, economic, and living conditions.
The SFD maintains this database in both its headquarters and
branch offices, incorporating data from the 1994 Census, 1998/99
and 1999/2000 Educational Surveys, 1998 Health Survey, 1999
National Poverty Survey, and 2000 Survey of Small and Micro-enterprises.
Through its data collection efforts the SFD has developed
a model for the management and use of various demographic
indicators. In addition, the SFD has shared these databases
with a number of organizations working on development. The
SFD will continue its efforts to use the most timely information
and surveys in order to target its interventions to poor and
needy areas.
Geographic targeting
Yemen’s population is scattered over 100,000 settlements
contained within 20 governorates and 320 districts. Poverty and
need are also scattered over governorates and districts. The SFD
distributes nearly 70 percent of its resources at the
governorate and district levels, based on uper poverty line and
access to basic services. Within each district priority is given
to the most needy subdistricts and villages. In addition field
visits are conducted to obtain a clear picture of poverty and
needs in areas identified by statistical indicators, as well as
to determine changes that may have occurred due to interventions
by other organizations.
Targeting Remote Areas
For purposes of internal analysis, 104 randomly selected
projects were evaluated from a total of 588 contracts for
implementation of civil works. Of these projects, 8 percent were
in urban areas, 11 percent were in rural near by areas,46
percent were in rural median distance, 24 percent were in rural
remote areas, and 11 percent were in very remote areas.
The areas are defined as follows:
Urban area: inside a city, city center, or its
suburbs.
Rural nearby area: near to a paved road or dirt
road, at a distance of 30-100 kilometers so that a car can reach
it within one or two hours from an urban center.
Rural area of median distance: at a distance of
100-200 kilometers and a car can reach it within two to four
hours from an urban center.
Rural remote: location that takes 4-7 hours to
reach due to difficult roads or that is farther than 200
kilometers the majority of it being dirt roads.
Rural very remote: location that takes more
than 7 hours to reach by a car from an urban center due to
extreme remoteness, long distance, or both.
Special programs
A portion of SFD resources are used for special programs that
target needs within particular sector such as rainwater
harvesting and overcrowding in schools. In addition, the SFD has
developed an Integrated Interventions Program for Yemen’s
poorest areas, with efforts involving a range of sectors to meet
basic development needs. This program focuses on developing
human and social capital and increasing community participation
in development efforts.
SFD’s Integrated Interventions Program
SFD’s Integrated Interventions Program uses a variety of
targeting mechanisms and a demand-driven approach to requests
for assistance. The program, designed to deliver resources to
Yemen’s poorest regions, is aimed at:
Children at
risk.
SFD approaches in its interventions for orphans, children in
conflict with the law, and children on the street are to promote
their physical and emotional development and social
reintegration. This development and reintegration are to be done
in ways that promote the health, self-respect, and dignity of
the child. The SFD is active in supporting homes and centers for
the care of these children and equipping them with what they
need to live in suitable health and emotional conditions. The
SFD also supports educational, cultural, and other activities
aimed at their proper development. This is in addition to SFD
efforts to train the workers in those homes and centers to
enable them to work efficiently and effectively with the
children, using approaches that respect the children’s rights.
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