In much of rural Yemen, people rely upon independent community water projects to supply the water they so desperately need. Extracted deep from within wells, the water has been traditionally pumped by public electricity grids or diesel generators. The electricity bills and/or diesel costs are typically covered by monthly contributions from either the local community or paid for by homeowners. Unfortunately, due to Yemen’s ongoing conflict, the cost is now unaffordable to many, leading to non-operational wells and resulting in water shortages in many rural areas.
To address this issue, the authorities and international organizations are working together to provide additional funding and resources to ensure that these community water projects remain operational.
Around 12,000 residents in five residential gatherings and villages in the Al-Qaryah area of the Tarim district of Hadramout. Located within the Wadi Hadramout governorate, the community uses two wells built in 1970.
Like many parts of Yemen, people in the villages suffer from a lack of clean water. This is compounded by constant power outages and the high cost of fuel to run the pumps, leaving villagers to find ways to keep the taps running. This lack of access to clean water has a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of those living in the villages, as well as their ability to access necessities.
In early 2022, the General Authority of Rural Water Supply Projects (GARWSP) was able to drill a third well in the area to meet the growing water demand. Abdullah Basalama, head of the project's Management Committee reports that studies have shown that the well site “contains an abundance of good quality, potable groundwater." However, the location is far from the utility grid. With diesel generators being quite expensive and, with the occasional shortage crisis, the cost of the extra fuel means higher operating costs that the project cannot afford.
“Monthly, we must now pay between YER 800,000 and 1,000,000 (approximately US$ 800 to US$ 1,000) in utility bills. Whereas diesel costs us around YER 400,000 (approximately US$ 400) per month.”