The representation mission of the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Yemen has begun civil and construction works for digging and deepening water wells in the Al Marawi’ah and Al Sukhnah districts of Al Hudaydah Governorate.
Serving up to 1,750 families (12,250 people), this is part of a larger project to rehabilitate water projects in Taiz and Al Hudaydah, with a total budget of $399,999, the QRCS has said in a statement.
The sites of the wells were handed over by the municipalities of the two districts in the presence of representatives of Yemen’s Supreme Council for Management and Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Co-operation (SCMCHA), municipal officials and the public.
QRCS representative Abdul-Baset Mohamed said that they would work on 14 water wells – five in Al Marawi’ah and nine in Al Sukhnah.
“Phase 1 involves the civil and construction works,” he said. “The wells will be dug, deepened and maintained to give access to more water.
“Then, the wells will be lined with concrete blocks and raised above the ground level for protection against pollution.
“The outer openings will have concrete covers.”
Other works include installing taps with plastic tanks so that water is supplied through pumping pipelines, making it easier for the inhabitants to get clean water safely.
“In Phase 2, submerged solar pumps will be installed, with a whole solar power system. The planned timeline is five months,” Mohamed revealed.
At the handover site, SCMCHA representative in Al Sukhnah Mohamed al-Moafa said: “QRCS is most welcome. They had previously implemented a shelter project in the district.
“Now, they are providing clean water for the poorest families.”
The project, he expected, would largely meet the water needs of the target communities who used to bring water from remote areas, carried by donkeys, women or children.
This was too exhausting and unhealthy, he added.
“It is an important project that serves those in need. We hope that the QRCS would expand their projects, especially water and artesian wells. Many wells are out of service due to lack of fuel, and water supply networks and pumping stations are required in many villages,” al-Moafa concluded.
The locals were happy to see their suffering come to an end, the QRCS stressed.
Ahmed Ali, a chieftain, spoke hopefully about the project: “We are very optimistic. Our problem is polluted and scarce water in times of drought.
“It has been a long-awaited moment for us to find some clean water to drink without too much difficulty.
“Until this day, we still get water manually (with buckets). Our kids are at risk of falling down into the wells.
“In our village, there are no wells, so we have to bring water from neighbouring villages.”
The chieftain thanked the QRCS for reaching out to such a remote village, hoping for more assistance.
“We are badly in need of a water supply system. This is our greatest dream,” he added. “We are so grateful to the donors. May Allah bless them.”