New projects in Hadramout will benefit over 50,000 residents in the Yemeni governorate to access more well-equipped health services, the UN office in Aden announced Monday.
The UN Development Program (UNDP) said it welcomed a $1.2 million contribution from Japan to establish a new project, Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Support for Crisis Affected Communities in Hadramout.
It said that amid ongoing violent conflict, increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather systems have resulted in widespread damage and destruction to WASH infrastructure across the governorate.
As a consequence, communities are suffering from the increased risk of disease outbreak due to poor waste management, added the statement.
“With the continual influx of displaced Yemenis fleeing to Hadramout from frontline conflict, the already damaged systems struggle to adequately serve the growing populations,” it stressed.
The new project will support improved WASH systems in five healthcare centers in Hadramout, including water supply and hand-washing services, the rehabilitation of sanitation systems and training and systems development for medical waste management.
“This support will benefit over 50,000 local residents to access more well-equipped health services,” the office said, adding that one of the five centers targeted will be focused on reproductive health, supporting women’s access to safe pre- and post-natal care.
An additional 20,100 Yemenis will benefit from life-saving emergency WASH interventions in communities affected by COVID-19, war and severe weather damage.
The statement revealed that these interventions will include repairs and installation of water and sanitation systems, support for solid waste collection and disposal, and community awareness raising to encourage best practice.
“This new project builds upon existing success from UNDP’s recently completed 3-year WASH project – also funded by Japan – which improved local water and waste management systems and service delivery for over 850,000 people in Aden and Mukalla,” explained Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Yemen.
“These services are critical to a sustainable recovery in Yemen, building a healthier foundation for Yemenis to rebuild their lives free from the risk of disease,” he added.
Last November, WFP had delivered 2.9 million liters of fuel to WHO and UNICEF to support the uninterrupted services of hospitals and local water and sanitation services. Additionally, WFP continued to extend its support to partners by shipping over 123,800 m3 of medical supplies by sea on behalf of UN agencies.
Further, 123,100 liters of fuel were delivered to INGOs and UN facilities.
WFP said it assisted over 1.8 million people with nutrition support.
