When Cyclone Idai made landfall, it was one of the deadliest cyclones to ever hit Africa. It destroyed lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. In response, the World Bank-funded Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project – managed by UNOPS – brought together various UN organizations with different expertise to help the country recover. The $72 million project supported communities in the immediate aftermath of the disaster – and helped build the foundations for long-term resilience and regional recovery.

With $150 million in funding from the World Bank’s International Development Association, UNOPS with support from local partners, restored critical urban services in cities through the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project. More than 3 million people are benefiting from improved access to water and sanitation, transport, energy and solid waste management services – helping to improve health outcomes, basic living conditions and local economic activity. More than 1.6 million temporary jobs were created for residents, helping build local capacity and resilience in communities affected by conflict.

Funded by the United Nations Mine Action Service and in support of MINUSMA*, UNOPS provided explosive threat mitigation support in Mali. Expanding on ongoing efforts to address the growing danger of explosive ordnance, the project helped strengthen the capacity of the national authorities in Mali to handle explosives safely and reduce the risk of harm to both civilians and UN peacekeepers. Initiatives included advanced training in explosive threat mitigation, the provision of specialized equipment, and mentoring.

As part of its support for Albania’s COVID-19 emergency response – and to expand access to high-quality medical services – UNOPS partnered with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to renovate the Infectious Diseases Clinic within the Mother Teresa Hospital in Tirana. Funded through a €13.5 million World Bank loan, the works transformed the facility into a state-of-the-art health clinic that serves more than 10,000 patients a year.

To improve the provision of health services, UNOPS supported Guatemala’s Social Security Institute (IGSS) to strengthen the efficiency and transparency of its medicines and medical supplies procurement processes. Through the project, UNOPS designed policies and trained 600 staff in sustainable public procurement and supply chain management, and helped stock 114 health facilities across the country with medicine. The six-year project resulted in an estimated savings of around $250 million, with around 57 per cent savings on the purchase of medicines – improving healthcare for an estimated 3.2 million Guatemalans.