The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working closely with the General Authority for Rural Water Supply and partners to enhance the resilience of vulnerable conflict affected communities in Yemen. The IOM project, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), has brought access to clean water to over 8,400 people in Dhamar and Abyan governorates through sustainable solar water systems.

With the conflict ongoing, the crisis affects nearly all aspects of everyday life in Yemen. Access to water has been greatly reduced for many communities across the country, with rural areas often suffering the most.

People living in Anss, Dhamar governorate, like many other rural communities, have to either pay high prices for fuel to operate pumps or travel long distances for water.

“Sometimes, we weren’t able to find diesel for weeks and spent money to buy water; this meant that we were not able to afford important household goods,” said Naser Al-Layth, a resident in Anss.

Approximately 5,400 people in rural Anss now have access to clean water through the 92 solar power panels and water pumping system provided by IOM.

“Today, we can get water while our tanks still have some water in them. In the past, we would have to wait for days with empty tanks,” said Naser Eyssa, another Anss community member.

IOM provided similar support to Alsalamya, Abyan governorate, reaching about 2,800 people in the local community with clean water. As the only good water source is about 13 kilometres away from the village, IOM laid a piping network to bring clean water to the community.

“Our salaries could not cover the cost of food and water. Now, our salaries will be dedicated for food,” said Mohammed Al Jawhary, a resident of Alsalamya.

Through the establishment of safe and adequate access to water, this IOM-SIDA project aims to reach the most vulnerable communities in Yemen, addressing their critical needs with life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, IOM works in coordination with the General Authority for Rural Water Supply and the community. IOM provided training on water management and maintenance of the solar water systems to support these vulnerable groups and affected communities.

“Before, it was terrible; it could take the whole day to fetch water. I hope this is the beginning of a better life. Water is life.” said Abdallah Al-Qadhi from Alsalamya, Abyan.

This is just one of the many water and sanitation projects that IOM is working on throughout Yemen.

For more information, please contact Olivia Headon, IOM Yemen, Tel: +967730552233, Email: oheadon@iom.int