Introduction

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) encompasses a range of activities designed to assess organisational performance and meet the requirements of diverse stakeholders (Marshall and Suárez, 2014). Within a project or programme context, evaluation entails systematically collecting and analysing data to ascertain project objectives and milestones, enhancing project efficiency and effectiveness (Kissi et al, 2019).

In a nation as intricate and volatile as Yemen, characterised by persistent political instability, armed conflicts, and economic vulnerabilities, the importance of effective evaluation implementation cannot be overstated. Evaluation plays a significant role in assessing the impact and efficacy of development programmes, humanitarian aid efforts, and governance initiatives, ultimately contributing to informed decision making and improved outcomes.

The journey towards the actual implementation of evaluation in Yemen started with the establishment of an evaluation unit within the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in the 1990s, supported by international donors (Ivins and Hwang, 2013). This marked an important milestone in Yemen's trajectory towards establishing evaluation practices. However, Abdelhamid (2010) reveals that Yemen voluntarily participated in the baseline study of the Paris Declaration in 2006 but received a low rating within the performance evaluation framework. This underscored the pressing need to enhance evaluation practices at that time.

Heylen et al (2022) confirm the inadequacies in Yemen's evaluation practices, particularly regarding capacity building and site visits. The nation's political instability and fragility have served as challenging obstacles, impeding further efforts to improve evaluation implementation. While it might seem paradoxical, political instability has increased the demand for practical evaluation (Jaafar and Amer, 2017).