Some initial impressions from my first week and a half in Sanaa:
1. Yemen is a great country with huge potential to take control of the future of over 24 million people. The challenges, though, are immense.
2. The National Dialogue and transition process are progressing: the major questions, around the future structure of Yemen, are still being worked through. I’ve been impressed by the dedication and energy in the National Dialogue and the commitment of its 565 members to make a better Yemen.
3. Engaging with ordinary people and key influencers outside the Dialogue is a huge feat, undertaken by the National Dialogue Media and Outreach Committees through over 974 media outlets and other outreach activities: but there are always demand for more, especially with the South.
4. That each and every Yemeni does have a voice and needs to use it constructively: there are people out there who do not have Yemen’s best interests at heart;
5. The security situation is challenging: bombs, kidnapping (usually of foreigners) and shootings are frequent. This impacts on the daily lives of many Yemenis: and makes it difficult for their allies in the international community to get out of, and around, Sana’a;
6. Whilst many international eyes are on the political and security situation, it is the economy and the humanitarian situation that is the greatest issue: 10.5 million Yemenis don’t have enough to eat and 1 million children are acutely malnourished. 13.1 million don’t have access to safe water or sanitation (our new DFID project will deliver food assistance to 200,000 people and safe water to 310,000).
7. Lack of basic service provision and security challenges the relationship between the state and its people.
On a personal note, I’ve:
– Met many great, interesting, smart people and have been particularly impressed by the petite, feisty Yemeni women who know they can make a difference;
– Been impressed by what a great Embassy we have here: dedicated staff who work in difficult conditions and keep smiling;
– Attended and hosted many iftars where I have eaten my bodyweight in delicious dates;
– Reminded friends and family in the UK that although they are having great weather now, our weather is more consistently pleasant in Sana’a;
– Made a personal commitment to prioritise projects working with women and the youth and flagged up my interest the acute water issues Yemen faces.
It’s going to be a fascinating, challenging (a word I’m already over-using) and great posting for the next couple of years.
I plan to be tweeting regularly on key developments (@janemarriottfco); the Embassy is also on Twitter (@ukinyemen) and Facebook (ukinyemen) .
Feedback welcome!