Water Tanks Bring Relief to Displaced Families in South Ta’iz

Ta’iz – Like millions of displaced Yemenis, Mohammed fled with his wife and parents when the conflict reached his home four years ago. They were forced to flee from Mawza’a to an area an hour away by foot. They soon settled in a site where displaced people were congregating. 

“We were in a difficult situation and we had no place to stay in. We spent the first night on the street. On the next day, people helped us find shelter,” said Mohammed.  

After they settled in Ash Shamayytayn displacement site, Mohammed secured a job to provide for his family, but, unfortunately, a work accident injured his legs and limited his ability to walk.  

“After I had the accident, I was unable to work. We suffered a lot because I was the only one who could provide food and clean water to my family,” said Mohammed, explaining how his life changed after the accident.  

Accessing water was one of the challenges Mohammad and his family faced. The wells closest to his home were a long walk away so the full burden of fetching water in heavy jerry cans fell on his wife.  

"When my wife went out to walk long distances to fetch water from the well, I would fidget at home until she gets back because it was far away and the area is not safe. I had fears that she might get hurt by animals or harassed by people on the way,” said Mohammed.  

To ease the pressure that many families were facing, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) distributed more than 400 water tanks and personal hygiene kits to families in need across three displacement sites in South Ta’iz. 

Mohammed’s family is one of many that benefitted from this intervention, and now has a steady supply of clean and safe water for drinking, cooking and bathing.  

“People here are really in need for help. They have lost their homes and live in dire conditions. We provided them with safe water and hygiene support to mitigate their suffering and protect them from water-borne diseases,” said Mohammed Nasher, an IOM field staff on the water, sanitation and hygiene team.  

“After we installed the tank, my wife doesn't have to travel long distances to bring water anymore. I don’t worry about her safety or that my family will get sick from dirty water,” concluded Mohammed. 

This intervention to provide water tanks to families in South Ta’iz is supported by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).