Shawqi Noman

 Editor-in-Chief of Reesha Platform

Amidst the financial and logistical challenges faced by many civil society organizations, particularly in developing countries or marginalized areas, where the pace of ongoing wars and conflicts intensifies, numerous civil society organizations emerge to meet essential needs. Some of these fade and disappear according to the immediate necessity, while others operate with a pace and plans based on strategies of sustainability and survival to represent society in its suffering and aspirations. This is what we have observed from Tamdeen Youth Foundation since its initial appearance in 2013. A prominent and clear image of pioneering and contemporary civil and humanitarian work emerged, deriving its continuity from many factors and its early awareness of the importance of development.

Tamdeen operates in harsh conditions and a war environment that is the most violent globally, and in a society governed by many contradictions, it strives hard to bring about real change that serves the human being, the focus of the event, the goal, and the cause.

Tamdeen, which has long provided a professional model in advocating for the localization of humanitarian work in Yemen, continues with the same approach, seeking many reforms at a time when many governmental and private institutions have failed due to the escalating conflict in the country. In a tragic situation that is the most severe for Yemen and Yemenis, with a war raging from east to west, successive economic crises, and cries from the hungry and the poor, the supporting entities remained in astonishment and helplessness. Some organizations closed their branches and abandoned their roles, amidst increasing repression and endless, unclear paths regarding the general situation. However, we have found Tamdeen Youth Foundation always awakening the determination of other organizations for regulated and transparent institutional work. Despite all the repercussions, it tries to hold onto hope despite the darkness, trying to instill in the minds of many the basics of change towards achieving sustainability in the desired civil and humanitarian work with the fewest available resources.

Since its initial establishment in May 2013, Tamdeen has shared its concerns, programs, and projects with various youth and civil segments at the humanitarian, technical, and developmental levels, desiring to establish the pillars of youth, humanitarian, and developmental work, and contributing to opening broad horizons in institutional work and revitalizing morale at the humanitarian level, which is full of high youth energies aspiring to the new Yemen's future. Many disagreed with Tamdeen, and many praised it, and it, in turn, tried to prove that it pursues its path according to the values of transparency and credibility, and it succeeded in doing so through its active and influential presence at the forefront of civil society organizations. Tamdeen, which told me and many young people, "Our doors are open to everyone to participate in plans, programs, and developmental, humanitarian, cultural, and artistic work," and I would be betraying the trust if I did not say that to everyone—this is my testimony, and I have said it before. It intended to establish many youth projects, but the reality full of war and contradictions betrayed it. However, it was and still is an inspiration for change, working to improve humanitarian response mechanisms in Yemen in a way that raises their efficiency and achieves their sustainable impact, according to the regulated institutional system, networking, and building youth capacities. Tamdeen does not end or disappear; it is a dynamic force, energy, activity, and firm belief that civil work does not end under any circumstances, and this is thanks to its belief in humanitarian and youth work and the sanctity of the humanitarian cause, for which youth and society are the central goal.

Tamdeen has worked and continues to work at a high pace in various regions of Yemen, present in every geographical area across this large Yemen, and through the efforts of its founders and staff, it has been able to gain the trust of donors and beneficiaries alike, due to the nature of its work based on transparency, clarity, and credibility, which distinguished it and helped it to rapidly reach the peak of success, transcending geographical and regional boundaries to be an inspiring project in civil society.

Indeed, talking about Tamdeen Youth Foundation from another angle overflows with many values and aesthetic features due to the noble nature of its project and its successful institutional and social relationships that reflected the noble values of humanitarian work. However, we will shorten the matter here to launch a call for response and SOS to all funders and supporters to join efforts, intensify support, and provide urgent humanitarian response to the cries of the Yemeni people and the hardship and dire fate they are experiencing, which has affected all aspects of public life.