Support Program Conflict, Climate Change and Environment in the Middle East

In Yemen, the impacts of climate change and water scarcity are interlinked with conflict. Yet, these interlinkages are neither highlighted in analyses on the conflict today, nor considered explicitly in peace-building programs. What is further unsettling is the low level of climate change awareness, not only among the Yemeni public but also among policymakers and civil society organizations.  
Yemeni state institutions do not address climate change and water scarcity sufficiently. Without appropriate prevention and mitigation efforts and increased awareness, the impacts of climate change will accentuate the water crisis at an accelerated pace, hampering peace efforts in a country embroiled in a complex conflict.

The goal of the project is to understand in detail the interlinkages of climate change, water scarcity and conflict, and make information available to Yemeni and international stakeholders. This will help to raise awareness amongst local state officials and to organize dialogues amongst local stakeholders, namely officers from local authority institutions, environmentalists, social figures, and farmers. One central goal is the development of a locally-led and low-cost option for local authorities to better address these impacts through an inclusive approach. Thereby, it is crucial to put climate change and water scarcity on the agenda of international organizations as well, while establishing connections of international to local NGOs.

The goals will be achieved by conducting consultations with local stakeholders and public officials, not only to ensure that the project is designed and implemented in a collaborative manner, but to get a deeper understanding of the interlinkages described above.
The project team will organize local dialogues between civil society organizations and local officials as a starting point for a partnership, which will allow to develop low-cost solutions to environmental issues exacerbating local conflict. The project team will also develop awareness-raising material and communicate with the public.