Institutional Arrangements and Procurement Procedures for Post-War Reconstruction in Yemen

Abstract

The reconstruction of Europe and Japan after World War II is often credited to US political will and financial aid. However, differing outcomes suggest that other factors played a crucial role. Factors such as security, a functioning government, pre-war development levels, and wartime destruction played crucial roles in determining the feasibility and possibility of success in post-war reconstruction. Post-conflict governments often lack the institutional frameworks and administrative capacity needed to effectively utilize foreign aid. This paper uses a qualitative analysis to examine Yemen's pre-war and past experience with international funding and highlights the challenges of reconstruction in Yemen, including the destruction of infrastructure, lack of institutional capacity, and the need for a credible governmental institution to rebuild the economy. It examines previous post-war reconstruction efforts in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and South Sudan, and proposes a new framework that considers the shortcomings of previous frameworks. This paper proposes a framework that enhances existing institutional capacity to efficiently absorb foreign aid and carry out reconstruction efforts effectively.