Conflict Mitigation Project

Donor: USAID
Location: Amran, al–Jawf, Marib, Shabwa, and Sa’ada
Project Duration: February 2007 — February 2009 (extended to May 2009)

The Conflict Mitigation Project (CMP) is an innovative program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The CMP initially started as a one and a half year program in two districts, Barat al–Marashi (Al–Jawf Governorate) and Munebeh (Sa’adah Governorate). In September 2007, given the success of ongoing activities, USAID extended the project by six months and added three new target districts in Amran, Marib, and Shabwah Governorates.

Conflict in Yemen is extremely complex, with underlying causes related to resource scarcity and allocation, tribal norms and practices, tribe–state relations, and political and religious tensions. Conflict among rural tribes persists as source of instability in Yemen. Through detailed research and program experience in tribal areas, ADRA works to develop an understanding of the multiple causes of this violence which come together and amplify each other. Due to the sensitive nature of this subject, ADRA’s approach is to work around conflict instead of interfering in conflicts. This helps insure the support of authorities and the community, and gives the project a long term perspective.

The CMP addresses the root causes of conflict by building better conflict management and mitigation capacities among the rural communities in the targeted areas of Yemen. It is hoped this will in turn create space for peaceful development. The CMP works with communities in collaboration with local councils, parents’ councils, the health community, youth organizations, and women’s development groups.

Interventions:

An awareness–raising campaign; Facilitated dialogue sessions; Joint action projects and coalition building; Skills–building training sessions; Small grants for the development of projects; Production of training manuals and a tribal reference guide; Peace Forums; Community–based small collaborative projects

Key Objectives:

• Empower local councils, committees and Community Based Organizations to effectively work towards greater development by training and supporting them to approach conflict in a non–violent and creative manner
• Utilize women’s role in tribal society, empowering them to contribute directly to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the community
• Build the community’s commitment to and capacity for advocating non–violent conflict resolution, using current best practices alongside positive tribal norms
• Encourage participation of local and youth organizations in the development of creative strategies towards non–violent conflict resolution
• A minimum of 30% project participation of women