QRCS rehabilitates 14 water wells for 12,250 beneficiaries in Al Hudaydah Governorate
THE Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) representation mission in Yemen has started the civil and construction works to dig and deepen water wells in the Al Marawi’ah and Al Sukhnah districts of Al Hudaydah Governorate.
This comes as part of a bigger project to rehabilitate water projects in Taiz and Al Hudaydah, serving up to 1,750 families (12,250 people), with a total budget of 399,999.
The wells were handed over to the municipalities of the two districts, in the presence of representatives of the Supreme Council of Yemen for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation (SCMCHA), municipal officials and the public.
Engineer Abdul-Baset Mohamed, representative of QRCS, said they would work on 14 water wells five in Al-Marawi’ah and nine in AlSukhnah. “Phase 1 involves the civil and construction works,” he said. “The wells will be dug, deepened, and maintained to give access to more water. Then, the wells will be lined with concrete blocks and raised above the ground level for protection against pollution. The outer openings will have concrete covers”.
Other works include installing taps with plastic tanks, so that water is supplied through pumping pipelines, making it easier for the inhabitants to get clean water safely. “In Phase 2, submerged solar pumps will be installed, with a whole solar power system. The planned timeline is five months,” Eng. Mohamed revealed.
Mohamed al Moafa, SCMCHA delegate in Al Sukhnah, said at the handover venue, “QRCS is very welcome. They had done a shelter project in the district before. Today they provide the poorest families with clean water.
The project, he expected, would largely meet the water needs of the target communities, which used to bring water from remote areas, carried by donkeys, women, or children. That was too hot and unsanitary. “It is an important project that serves those in need. We hope that QRCS would expand their projects, especially water and artesian wells. Many wells are out of service due to lack of fuel, and water supply networks and pumping stations are required in many villages,” he concluded.
The locals were happy to see their suffering come to an end. Ahmed Ali, a chieftain, spoke hopefully about the project “We are very optimistic. Our problem is polluted and scarce water at times of drought. It has been a long-awaited moment for us to find some clean water to drink without too much difficulty. Until this day, we still get water manually (with buckets). Our kids are at risk of falling down into the wells. In our village, there are no wells, so we have to bring water from neighboring villages.”
He thanked QRCS for reaching such a remote village, hoping for more assistance. “We’re in dire need of a water supply system. This is our greatest dream, “he said. “We are very grateful to the donors. May Allah bless you.
The districts covered by QRCS interventions are destitute and underserved. Women and children have to walk for hours to bring water from far places. The available water wells are obsolete, and the manual pumps are damaged.