The representation office of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Yemen has initiated a scheme to rehabilitate and operate 50 water projects to meet the water needs of 23,750 people in Dhale, Raymah, Taiz, and Ibb, at a total cost of $603,556.
Water projects are particularly important as Yemen is one of the countries with the highest water stress and scarcity. According to United Nations agencies, about 18mn people need support to have access to safe and clean water, amid a prolonged conflict.
Hameed al-Khalaidi, director of Maqbanah District, thanked QRCS for its essential interventions in several sectors in the district. “Such projects help alleviate the suffering of locals and displaced people to find water, as well as protect women and children from dangers while looking for water,” he said. “I hope that more such projects would be implemented, with more attention paid to the sustainable ones, by digging boreholes that have a long-term impact”.
Saleh Abdullah al-Hajj, director of Jahaf District, Dhale, said: “This is a very rugged and mountainous area. People here find difficulty looking for water, especially in the winter. They have to walk long distances on rugged roads. That is why such projects are most welcome. Nine water projects will be rehabilitated, by constructing collection tanks, water supply networks, and distribution points in the villages. I would like to thank you for the efforts you are making to serve the villages most in need, and we hope for more similar projects”.
Having been launched 18 months ago, QRCS has already completed Phase 3, which involved the digging of two boreholes, digging and operating 103 hand-pumped wells, and rehabilitating 46 water projects at a total cost of $1,324,970. Earlier this year, QRCS personnel started the technical procedures to deliver the completed water wells and projects to the communities and local authorities of the target villages across the governorates of Taiz, Dhale, Lahij, Ibb, Al-Mahwit, Raymah, and Sa’dah.
