For generations, the people of Yemen have been able to make the most of limited water resources in this arid country through traditional farming practices and skillful water management. But today, Yemen’s booming population and the rapid growth of modern, market-based agriculture are taking a toll. While the government has focused on expanding the economy, it has neglected to invest in new water wells or to promote efficient use of dwindling water resources.

As a result, both the quantity and quality of water have been severely threatened for communities throughout Yemen. Overall, only 69 % of the population has access to safe drinking water. In many poor, rural communities, local water supply systems are in desperate need; many are contaminated, and lack of proper sanitation facilities threatens to keep them that way.

Lack of potable water will only perpetuate poverty in these communities. Food production will diminish, and economic and social development will stall. Children and adults will have to travel farther than ever before to find sources of clean water instead of spending that time working or going to school. Community health will suffer, too, especially among children and other vulnerable groups who already face an increased risk of life-threatening diseases such as diarrhea.

CARE projects already underway in many of these communities present a valuable way to make sustainable improvements in water and sanitation for the people that need help most.

In Al Mahweet, CARE has already built wells, pump stations and water-storage tanks. This project will finish the job by constructing systems to move the water from its source to people’s homes and village spigots.

In all three project areas CARE will also conduct baseline studies of local health indicators – with an emphasis on children’s health – in communities that have CARE development projects underway (see table on following page). We will test local water quality and, if necessary, take steps to improve it – namely, by cleaning springs, wells and water tanks with sodium hypochloride at least once a year to prevent contamination. At the same time, we will improve sanitation facilities around local water systems as well as install toilets in each village where we are working.

We will engage the community directly to help improve people’s health. Through training held in schools, community literacy classes and among various groups and associations, children and adults will learn about proper sanitation and hygiene practices as well as how to ensure access to clean water; this includes treating water with a special chlorine-based product developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CARE will carry out these activities in partnership with local representatives of the ministries of Social Affairs and Labour, Public Health and Population, Water and Environment and Education.