Yemen Humanitarian Update - Issue 1, January 2023 [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS

Situation update: new displacements along frontlines P 03

Hard-to-reach areas continue to need critical assistance P 03

Expanding access to reach more people in need P 05

Improving educational spaces to support long-term learning P 06

TRANSFORMING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE WEST COAST

In January, IOM, with funding from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), completed six water projects across Al Khukhah District of Hodeidah Governorate, providing improved access to safe drinking water for over 5,300 households, or about 25,800 individuals. This includes more than 2,100 host community households and 3,200 internally displaced families. The projects rehabilitated existing boreholes and installed solar-operated pumps to bring water from boreholes and wells to elevated water tanks. The elevated water tanks distribute clean water to water points in the sites.

The Red Sea Coast is characterized by a lack of access to fresh drinking water. Much of the water is salty and highly alkaline. The challenge is exacerbated by the influx of displaced populations into urban and neighboring areas, as water demand is beyond service capacity. The lack of access forces many to depend on private water trucking services or use unprotected and unsafe water sources, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases. According to community members, water is often contaminated, leading to frequent cases of stomachache and diarrhea.
People in informal displacement sites are the worst affected, with women and girls, especially femaleheaded households, people with disabilities and the elderly the most vulnerable to protection risks. Women and girls in the host community must walk more than two hours twice a day to collect drinking water. The journey can be unsafe, leaving them facing increased risks, including forms of gender-based violence (GBV), on the way to or at crowded water points.

Thousands of people rely on the few water points in Al Khukhah District, leading to frequent breakdowns and disagreements between community members.
Moreover, the sheer number of hours required to fetch water affects children’s educational opportunities.
Many children have been forced to drop out of school, carrying plastic water containers on their heads to and from the water points twice daily. Meanwhile, adults sacrifice time in line that could otherwise be spent supporting their livelihoods. Given these challenges, many residents migrated to the outskirts of cities, further affecting the local economy and the social fabric of the communities.

On 2 February, IOM and YHF held an inauguration ceremony for the activities.
Women reported that the installation of these water points will alleviate their daily struggles and improve access to safe water.

According to the local authorities, the water projects will positively impact the lives of both the displaced people and the host community by easing the burden required to access clean and safe water. Access to water gives people back their time, allowing them to invest in their communities and families. Many children, especially girls, will be able to return to school and continue their education. The project also unlocks the potential of the communities to engage in agriculture and other livelihoods activities.

Authorities expressed appreciation for the IOM′s work achieved through the YHF and requested more support for underfunded sectors, including health and education. The water committee members pledged to take ownership of the projects and keep the water flowing as a reliable and clean source of clean water.

Communities have a right to access sufficient and safe water. Water can only unlock human potential when it is safe, clean and reliable.