Ma’rib –The International Organization for Migration (IOM) inaugurated yesterday an extensive water network in Ma’rib that will improve access to safe water to almost 15,000 conflict-affected people, with funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and EU Humanitarian Aid.

According to the United Nations, over 15 million people require WASH support throughout Yemen in 2023. In Ma’rib, nearly one million internally displaced people (IDPs) are struggling to meet their basic needs. 

The Al Sowayda Water Supply Project services four displacement sites – namely Al Sowayda, Batha Al Mail, Sailat Al Mail and Hawsh Al Jama’a – with a pumping station, transmission line, storage tank and a far-reaching water distribution network. 

“Thousands of families have lacked adequate access to clean water in this area for years,” said Anders Haugland, IOM Head of Office in Ma’rib. 

“This new water network is an impactful example of a durable solution that allows IDPs to access vital and more affordable services, become less reliant on aid and lead healthier lives.” 

“Ma’rib welcomes, and will always welcome, those who are displaced by war. Durable and sustainable projects like these leave a lasting impact, and are crucial to alleviating the suffering of IDPs and host community members in such difficult times,” added Dr. Abdurabo Miftah, Deputy Governor of Ma’rib.  

IOM has been responding to emergency humanitarian needs in Al Sowayda displacement site – currently the third largest site in Ma’rib – since 2020, particularly through its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programme.  

The sites are located several kilometers away from sources of usable water in areas on volcanic soil where water is difficult to access. Over the years, displaced residents have been reliant on water trucking or arranging their own transportation to collect water at a high cost. Very few people had access to latrines, which posed a threat to health and safety. 

The new water network will enhance the sustainability of WASH services in Ma’rib. In the coming months, IOM will work to expand the network to reach more schools and health facilities in the sites, and eventually to areas inside Ma’rib city. 

The project is implemented in close partnership with local authorities and partners in Ma’rib who work to ensure effective water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, public infrastructure and camp management.  

More than 168,300 individuals have been supported by KSR-funded WASH programming in Ma’rib in the last year, while 108,489 individuals have benefited from similar interventions in Ma’rib supported by the EU.  

For more information, please contact:  

• In English: Angela Wells at IOM Yemen, Email: awells@iom.int, Tel: +967 730 552233 

• In Arabic: Haithm Abdulbaqi, Email: haabdulbaqi@iom.int, Tel: +967 775 615616 

• IOM Yemen’s Communications Team at iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int