SFD holds workshop on Institutional Evaluation findings [Archives:2006/916/Local News]
SANA'A, Jan. 25 ) The Social Fund Development Partners Consultation (SFD) held a workshop on its Institutional Evaluation findings at Taj Sheba Hotel, sponsored by the UK Development for Institutional Development (DID).
Several ministers and other senior officials participated in the workshop including Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr. Abdulkarim Al-Arhabi; Minister of Education, Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Gofi; Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Muhammad Al-Na'ami; Minister of Water and Environment, Dr. Muhammad Al-Iryani and many representatives from donor countries and international and local organizations.
SFD Managing Director Al-Arhabi stated in a press conference that the findings are from an observational evaluation SFD conducts every three years. The evaluation focuses on SFD's contribution to improving Yemeni citizens' living conditions by increasing access to basic services in education, health care, water supply, the environment, cultural heritage and transport. Evaluation findings are based on a quantitative survey of the living standards of 6,000 households. Additionally, a qualitative beneficiary assessment is made of targeted groups' opinions polled about the benefits of SFD projects.
Stakeholders discussed evaluation findings in relation to delivering services, governance and institutional capacity building. Findings are based on five workshops and a series of meeting and interviews conducted between Nov. 24 and Dec. 6, 2005.
Participants discussed SFD's strategic objectives, future vision and its role in poverty reduction and state building in Yemen. The workshop raised some issues at the central level, such as government's vision for the SFD and how to best complement its role with targeted ministries.
Consultant Mary Jennings said SFD's particular strength is its work at the community level, which delivered the most findings. The government has the most difficulty delivering services like health and education at the community level, especially in terms of building a governance structure whereby community members can be active in development.
The SFD was established in 1997 as an administratively and financially autonomous agency. SFD participates in implementing national poverty reduction and improving Yemeni citizens' living conditions.
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