King Salman Relief Center projects to support the water sector in Marib
In a humanitarian gesture reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting its brothers and sisters in Yemen, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center laid the foundation stone for three vital and strategic water projects in Marib Governorate. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), falls under a comprehensive program to improve access to safe and clean water services in Yemen, thereby alleviating the daily suffering of thousands of families and providing them with essential resources.
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the challenges of displacement towards Marib
To understand the critical importance of this initiative, one must consider the historical context and the humanitarian reality Yemen has faced since the outbreak of the crisis several years ago. The city of Marib has become the primary safe haven for millions of internally displaced persons fleeing various conflict zones. This massive influx of people and rapid population growth has placed unprecedented pressure on the already fragile infrastructure, making the provision of safe drinking water the greatest challenge facing local authorities and international organizations. Hence, the importance of urgent and sustainable interventions to address the environmental and health situation and prevent the spread of diseases and epidemics linked to the lack of clean water becomes paramount.
Details of King Salman Relief Center's projects in the water sector
The new projects are distributed across three main sectors and densely populated camps. The first project involves expanding the water network in northern Suwaida, where a new artesian well will be drilled in the Al-Mayl area, and a large underground concrete reservoir with a capacity of 500 cubic meters will be constructed, along with the extension of an internal distribution network exceeding 14 kilometers in length to supply the camps and adjacent service facilities. The second project aims to supply the Bin Aboud neighborhood with clean water through the construction of a 21-meter-high concrete tower reservoir with a capacity of 200 cubic meters, along with the implementation of a modern distribution network of 13.5 kilometers of high-quality polyethylene pipes.
The third project involves expanding water services in Sector 10 of Al-Jufaina camp, one of the largest displacement camps in Yemen, through the construction of a 500-cubic-meter underground concrete reservoir and the installation of a 16-kilometer internal distribution network. To ensure the highest quality standards, these projects are accompanied by the construction of three state-of-the-art desalination and water purification plants that meet internationally recognized health standards, guaranteeing safe and completely clean drinking water for beneficiaries.
Strategic dimensions and expected impact of humanitarian projects
The importance of these projects extends beyond simply meeting immediate needs; it encompasses profound strategic dimensions with a significant impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, these projects aim to strengthen the infrastructure for sustainable water services and address the needs of over 50,000 displaced persons and members of the host community, directly contributing to family stability and improving their quality of life. The Deputy Governor of Marib, Dr. Abdul Rabbo Muftah, affirmed that this package of projects represents a qualitative leap forward in providing safe water, praising the pivotal role played by the Kingdom in alleviating the suffering of over 3 million displaced persons residing in the governorate.
At both the regional and international levels, these initiatives reflect the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and access to water and sanitation for all. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre's implementation of these relief and development programs underscores Saudi Arabia's leading role in global humanitarian action and its enduring commitment to supporting the water and sanitation sector as a fundamental pillar for ensuring human dignity and health in crisis zones.
