1. Yemen Child Poverty and Disparities Study Progress to date

2. Poverty in Yemen Availability of data sources: trend analysis –Poverty Assessment 2007 –MICS 2006 –2005/2006 National Budget Survey –PAPFAM 2003 –2004 Census –1998 (DHS, NBS) Poverty declined between 1998 and 2005 –40% - 35% –Absolute number still high at 7 million –Decline in urban poverty –Significant urban/rural differences. –Y poverty assessed –Macroeconomic solutions

3. Other Relevant Indicators Ranking on HDI: 155/174 Under five mortality: 102/1000 Neonatal mortality: 37/1000 Maternal mortality: 365/100,000 Malnutrition: 46% (weight/age) Girls enrolment:63% (2005): 76%-boys Access to improved water sources: 59% (74/52) Access to adequate sanitation:52% (94/34) Child labour: 23%

4. Status of study so far….. February 2008 : Study Global Guide was shared and TORs adapted for Yemen February 2008: Sensitisation of key partners (Government, UN, NGOs – Oxfam) and Sanaa University on the study March 2008: Creation of a Technical Committee to monitor progress and assure quality. High Council for Motherhood and Childhood was identified to play a coordinating role for the technical committee with UNICEF acting as the resource institution.

5. Timeline cont…. April-May : –Identification of Consultants for policy and statistical templates –Bidding process –Buy-in from the Ministry of Plan; sensitization of the Minister and Deputy Ministers of concerned agencies will participate as members of the Steering Committee. June: CRC process concluded and contract preparation; review of calendar of activities: Work to begin

6. Opportunities Partner interest as they recognise the need to understand child poverty and disparities and more importantly want to work through the policy framework to respond. Availability of documentation likely to facilitate the examination of trends. Part of the SITAN process, to feed into MTR and wider reflexion on how UNICEF can better respond from 2009 onwards.

7. Challenges Correlation with gender considerations Maintaining partner interest in the study Limited institutional and research capacity Difficulties in releasing official data Weak transparency at all levels (National Budgets)