Germany, Yemen sign agreements on development assistance for 2009-2010

SANA'A, Oct.
17 (Saba)- Yemen and Germany signed on Saturday bilateral agreements on technical
and financial
cooperation for the years 2009-10.


The total sum is $ 110 million.
Yemeni-German development cooperation is aimed at providing direct assistance to
the poor in Yemen. German support focuses on water and education, with the goal of
bringing
about tangible improvements in people's living conditions.
Commenting on the water situation in Yemen, German ambassador Michael
Klor-Berchtold said that Yemen is one of most water-poor countries of the world.
The overuse of water
is a major challenge to Yemen's government. Germany supports Yemen to implement its
water strategy.
"Education is a priority in fighting poverty. Germany therefore supports the Yemeni
government to improve primary school enrolment and the quality of education. This
includes,
in particular, efforts to empower women in Yemen's society by means of broadening
primary and secondary education for girls. Yemen can not afford to abandon the
knowledge
and workforce of half of its population", underlined Klor-Berchtold.
In addition, Germany has committed 1,5 million Euros to mitigate the effects of the
armed conflict in Saada on the civilian population.
YA