Ma’rib, Yemen – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the German government through KfW Development Bank, is improving access to clean water for nearly 118,000 people in Ma’rib City, including displaced families living in Al Jufainah Camp, Yemen’s largest displacement site. The project includes connecting a new borehole to the city’s main water network and extending pipelines to provide a reliable source of clean water for thousands of families.

“Water is essential for survival, yet for many displaced families in Ma’rib, finding enough clean water has been a daily struggle,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen. “This project is an important step toward ensuring that displaced and host communities have reliable access to safe water, helping them stay healthy, care for their families, and rebuild their lives with dignity.”

Years of conflict have pushed essential services in Yemen to the brink of collapse, with access to water remaining one of the most pressing challenges. In Ma’rib, home to the country’s largest displaced population, families struggle to secure even the most basic necessities, including clean water. With groundwater being extracted at twice the rate it can naturally replenish, key water sources are shrinking, making access even more difficult.

Al Jufainah Camp, home to around 15,000 displaced families, has long struggled with water shortages. Despite previous efforts to connect the camp’s water tanks to Ma’rib’s city network, limited supply meant families received water only once a month, leaving them no choice but to rely on costly trucked water or unsafe alternative sources.

Beyond meeting immediate needs, improving water access in Ma’rib is critical for reducing tensions over scarce resources. As demand for water increases, competition can lead to disputes that further destabilize communities already struggling with the effects of displacement and economic hardship.

To address this, IOM has completed the drilling of a new borehole and is integrating it into Ma’rib City’s main water network to increase supply. Additionally, the Organization is extending a transmission line from two existing boreholes directly to Al Jufainah’s water tanks. The project will provide displaced families with a steady water source while easing the strain on the city’s network.

Water shortages in Yemen not only affect daily life but also have a direct impact on livelihoods. Many farmers in Ma’rib rely on groundwater for irrigation, but as water sources decline, agricultural production suffers, increasing food insecurity and economic hardship. Sustainable water solutions are critical to helping both urban and rural communities withstand future shocks.

Once completed, this project will not only strengthen the local water infrastructure but also significantly contribute to public health. By ensuring safer and more reliable access to clean water, it will help reduce morbidity and mortality in Ma’rib, where the spread of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera remains prevalent, particularly among women and children.

As Yemen grapples with ongoing humanitarian challenges, ensuring access to essential resources like clean water is more urgent than ever. By strengthening water infrastructure, IOM is not only addressing immediate needs but also working toward long-term solutions that improve living conditions for communities affected by conflict and displacement.

For more information, please contact:

Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer: mchiriac@iom.int 
IOM Yemen’s Communications Team: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int