US Army Civil Affairs supports civil organisations in Yemen

ADEN -- A delegation from US Army Civil Affairs is providing support to civil organisations working to empower women, enhance security and advance education in Hadramaut province, Yemen.

The delegation on August 14 visited two civil organisations in al-Mukalla, the capital of Hadramaut, to donate laptops, office and school furniture, and school supplies.

The donations were made to the al-Noor Centre for the Rehabilitation and Training of Persons with Disabilities, the al-Tumuh Association for Girls with Motor Disabilities, and the city's public schools.

During the visit, the US Army Civil Affairs team vowed to convey al-Mukalla civil society organisations' needs to the US embassy in Yemen and to American donor organisations for further support.

Ahmed Salem Badhrous, director-general of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSAL) in Hadramaut, welcomed the American delegation and discussed the public's health and education needs.

He briefed the delegation on the activities of civil organisations affiliated with the ministry, most of which are focused on education and vocational training.

Badhrous also spoke about the significance of one of these organisations -- the Centre for Productive Families -- and elaborated on the training and job opportunities it provides for women, as well as its contribution to the area's families.

The US Army Civil Affairs team lauded the efforts made by MOSAL and the Centre for Productive Families to train Hadramaut women and empower them economically.

Thanks to these efforts, a number of women have gained various skills such as hairdressing, sewing, embroidery, sculpting and cooking, local officials said.

Need-based support

The United States provided support based on Hadramaut's specific needs, which MOSAL's regional office conveyed to US forces, Badhrous said.

The office focuses on serving the area's population by supporting civil organisations, regardless of their affiliation with MOSAL, he added.

Sulaf al-Hanashi, director of the Rescue Foundation for Human Development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Hadramaut, described the US Army Civil Affairs team's visit as fruitful.

The US Army's support has provided the area's NGOs with the tools they need to train members of the public and help them gain skills and income amid the country's economic challenges, she said.

The US delegation also visited the Brom Mayfa directorate on August 14, and discussed developmental, economic and security support with Director General Ali Suleiman Ba Qarawan.

In the meeting, Ba Qarawan and other directorate officials provided the American delegation with a detailed review of the directorate's current security status and the role of international donor organisations and local institutions in supporting the community.

Local officials should fully co-operate with the US team in order to benefit the residents, he said.

"Yemen has been embroiled in war for eight years, and there is no end in sight," said political analyst Faisal Ahmed, adding that providing security for officials and NGOs is a priority in the current situation.

The province's need for security is significant, as civil organisations and NGOs need a stable and secure environment to help the local community and empower women, he said.

Countries that support Yemen's legitimate government as it fights with the Iran-backed Houthi militia should provide provincial governments with military and security support to help them combat terrorist groups, particularly al-Qaeda and the Houthis, Ahmed said.