By Ina Lee, Communications Director, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
Water filters distributed in an Internally Displaced Camp in Aden, Yemen. Photo: YRRF
Imagine waking up every day, unsure if the water you drink will make you sick. For millions in Yemen, a country ravaged by conflict and a severe water crisis, this is a harsh reality. The Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation (YRRF) is working to change this narrative, striving to make clean water accessible to everyone. In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) – Clean Water and Sanitation, YRRF is dedicated to ensuring that all Yemeni people have reliable access to clean water.
The Dire Need for Clean Water in Yemen
An alarming 15 million people in Yemen lack access to clean water, a crisis that threatens both their daily lives and their survival. Without clean water, the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera rises dramatically. Yemen has already endured several severe cholera outbreaks, which have further strained the country’s fragile healthcare system and put countless lives at risk. Between 2016 and 2022, Yemen experienced the worst cholera outbreaks in recent history, with over 2.5 million suspected cases and thousands of deaths. This year, another cholera outbreak is sweeping the country with limited resources to prevent or control the spread, increasing the likelihood that it may be similar to the previous outbreak. This devastating situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable and accessible clean water solutions.
YRRF’s Efforts to Tackle Yemen’s Water Crisis
In 2023, we took significant steps to address Yemen’s water crisis by distributing 750 water filters and containers across the country. These filters are designed to enable families to purify water contaminated with pollutants, rust, and sediment. This simple yet effective solution ensures that families have access to safe drinking water and significantly reduces the risk of waterborne diseases. In the last few years, our teams have distributed about 4,000 water filters to families in Yemen. Additionally, we provided large water tanks and trucked clean water to multiple internally displaced population areas to serve about 5,000 people a day. Furthermore, in remote and mountainous areas, hundreds of water tanks were provided to households to ensure that they could keep their water clean.
Delivering water tanks to remote mountainous areas in Taiz, Yemen. Photos: YRRF
Providing large tanks to Internally Displaced Populations and trucking clean water. Photos: YRRF
A prime example of the severe water scarcity many Yemeni communities face is Zawia Village. Families here had no direct access to drinking water and were often forced to buy water from distant sources – a financial burden many could not bear. Recognizing this urgent need, we are constructing a well in Zawia Village. This project should provide clean water to 1,290 families, extending its benefits to surrounding areas as well. The well will significantly reduce the daily struggle for water and improve the overall health and well-being of the community.
Beyond Immediate Relief
Water Purification System using Solar Panels. Photo: YRRF
YRRF’s efforts extend beyond short-term aid to include its innovative water purification and renewable energy project. This initiative addresses urgent needs while also establishing long-term, sustainable water sources that communities can rely on for years to come. By combining renewable energy with water purification, we are pioneering a model that can be replicated across Yemen and beyond, ensuring resilience against future challenges. This new water purification system will be placed in three major hospitals in Hodeidah, where the risk of cholera and waterborne diseases is the highest in Yemen. The water will be accessible to the hospitals and their neighborhoods. We hope to install these systems by the end of 2024.
Water: A Fundamental Human Right and a Divine Gift
Water is a fundamental human right and the essence of life itself. The Quran emphasizes its importance in the verse, “And We made from water every living thing” (21:30). This verse highlights the crucial role of water in sustaining life, a pressing concern in Yemen where water scarcity threatens the very existence of its people.
In Yemen, a predominantly Muslim country, such teachings hold deep significance. They remind us that ensuring access to clean water is not just a humanitarian effort but also a moral obligation. YRRF’s work is dedicated to upholding the dignity and health of every individual by providing safe water.
Join the Fight for Clean Water
The water crisis in Yemen is severe, but with your support, we can bring clean, safe water to those in need. We invite you to join this essential mission. Whether you choose to donate, raise awareness, or volunteer, every effort helps provide much-needed water to the people of Yemen.
Visit our website at yemenfoundation.org to see how you can contribute to this vital cause. Your support is needed now more than ever. Take action today to help restore hope and health in Yemen.