Community-Based Initiatives and Public Services Delivery in a Fragile Context: The Case of Yemen

Abstract

The collapse of public services in Yemen due to a protracted crisis raging since 2015 has compelled some local citizen-based coalitions to initiate community-based service delivery. This preliminary study identifies Community-Based Initiatives (CBIs) as non-state actors supplying basic services ordinarily provided by governmental institutions. It offers an overview of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis while focusing on public services provision pre- and mid-conflict and highlights the role of CBIs as a response to its breakdown within a severely fragile context. As this work considers CBI a societal constituent and not simply a temporary phenomenon, it discusses the general trends of Civil Society. This article fills the gap in the literature and compares the Western perspective and application of CBIs in Yemen aiming at developing a more specific and contextual conception. The analysis lays the foundation for much needed future studies on the role of informal organizations in service provision in developing countries of the Global South.

NGOs' least‐played role: Bridging between a divided public administration: The case of Yemen

“…By doing so, supporting core state capabilities is just as urgent and crucial as providing ongoing humanitarian assistance. This could contribute to peacebuilding at various levels and serve as a state‐building step in the long term, post conflict (Edwards, 2019; Elayah et al., 2023). When a peace agreement is reached, the nature of Yemen's recovery may well depend on this additional support.…”

“…Lastly, the public can serve as a vital ally in supporting an NGO's efforts (Elayah et al., 2023). Their support can exert pressure on conflicting authorities to earnestly engage in negotiations, acting in good faith, as emphasized by an interviewee (Interview #20).…”

Assessing the Impact of Digital Transformation on Public Service Delivery in Zimbabwe

“…Service delivery is understood as the collective interaction among policymakers, service providers, and citizens. This encompasses various services and their associated operational systems, such as social services (e.g., health and education), infrastructure (e.g., electricity, roads, and water), and citizen security (e.g., police and justice), which are typically within the purview of the state (Elayah et al, 2023). Digital Public Service Delivery (DPSD) is conceptualized as the utilization of digital technologies in the design, process, and actual delivery of services to customers or clients for increased effectiveness and efficiency (Adeola et al, 2022).…”

“…The new governance approach has transformed service delivery into a model that aligns with the local community's needs. It acknowledges citizens as integral to the supply or production process, granting them increased responsibility for delivering public services (Elayah et al, 2023). The authors further suggest that public service provision is increasingly divided among multiple providers, including the private sector, multisectoral hybrids, public-private partnerships, and the third sector.…”