Throughout 2020, peaceful coexistence with local communities was promoted by UNHCR and its implementing partners. With COVID-19 awareness-raising, cash for work projects, hygiene kit distribution and cash grants, UNHCR brought IDPs and host communities together as part of its plans to promote peaceful coexistence.
Restriction of movements due to COVID-19 affected livelihoods and increased socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Lack of income sources also contributed to increased domestic violence due to financial stress and social pressures. UNHCR implemented quick impact projects (QIPs), such as the production of face masks and sanitizers as cash for work projects for displaced and host communities, and this had a positive impact on social cohesion.
Through its partners, UNHCR trained 137 IDPs and host community members to produce 131,793 face masks. UNHCR provided the sewing machines and raw materials for making the reusable face masks. The masks and sanitizers were distributed to front line workers, most vulnerable IDPs and host communities. Beneficiaries used the sewing machines for other income generation activities where 3,222 IDPs and host community households benefited from the QIPs.
UNHCR promoted COVID-19 awareness through outreach volunteers, new hotlines, and social media posts to improve communication with communities. Awareness-raising sessions on COVID-19 were conducted by UNHCR’s partners, targeting 13,905 IDPs. Additionally, 30,377 posters and brochures were distributed as part of COVID-19 awareness-raising. UNHCR provided a one-off cash assistance payment to 38,020 households in Yemen to mitigate their loss of livelihoods and enable them to respond to COVID-19 preventive measures.