RIYADH: Japanese Ambassador to Yemen Yoichi Nakashima partnered with the International Organization for Migration to grant about $2.5 million in aid supporting vocational training for youth, including internally displaced persons in Yemen.

Signing the exchange notes in Riyadh on Sunday alongside Nakashima were Ashraf El Nour, head of the IOM office in Riyadh, and Mansour Bajash, undersecretary for political affairs at Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Japanese envoy told Arab News that this cooperation is critical given the ongoing economic difficulties in Yemen, saying: “We made this decision to support the Yemeni people who are going through this exceptional time and to address urgently needed areas such as vocational training.”

He explained that Yemen faces rising unemployment due to the prolonged conflict. The country’s public technical and vocational training centers have significantly reduced their operations due to infrastructure damage and lack of funds.

Approximately 4.7 million IDPs — about one-seventh of the population — are unable to earn an income because they lack technical skills, making employment difficult.

Nakashima highlighted that this agreement may benefit a large number of people, especially IDPs, who are particularly affected by the situation.

This cooperation aims to rehabilitate technical and vocational training centers and provide capacity development training in three southern governorates: Aden, Lahj, and Taiz.

It is also expected to help increase employment opportunities for young people by expanding vocational training and enhancing economic resources.

A joint press statement from the embassies of Japan and Yemen noted that supporting peace and stability in Yemen, which borders the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, will contribute to securing sea lanes.

The government of Japan expressed its commitment to continue working proactively toward achieving peace and stability in Yemen, in cooperation with the UN and relevant countries.