In partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Yemen’s Social Fund for Development has restored hundreds of damaged historic houses and landmarks in the cities of Shibam, old Sanaa, Zabid and Aden.
Funded by the European Union, the restoration project aims at preserving the Yemeni heritage and creating job opportunities for young Yemenis.
In addition to houses restoration, the project also seeks the rehabilitation of the sewage network that requires an urgent intervention in old Sanaa.
Local sources reported that UNESCO is urging donors to increase their funds for Yemen in 2024 to expand the development and culture projects and preserve heritage, landmarks and historic cities.
According to UNESCOS’s General Authority for the Preservation of Historic Cities, the historic city of Zabid, listed as a UNESCO Human Heritage, is among the most damaged in the country. It embraces 12,000 buildings, including 4962 ancient houses that have been violated or destroyed. Part of Al Hodeidah governorate, Zabid features 27 schools and 86 historic mosques as well.
Data also show that many landmarks in the historic city collapsed, while there are 46 damaged buildings that require a quick intervention to save them from collapse. Some of these buildings are over 600 years old.
In addition to preserving historic buildings, the project focuses on the social aspects by integrating the younger Yemenis in the restoration process. It also aims at creating jobs for 8,000 young men and women.
The project offers training and funds for the organizations active in the cultural field. Young Yemenis are taking part in restoring and rehabilitating over 500 historic buildings in three endangered World Heritage sites in Sanaa, Shibam and Zabid, as part of the awareness campaigns promoting the importance of protecting the Yemeni heritage.
