Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
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Local News
Written By: Observer Staff
Article Date: Mar 25, 2008 - 2:06:05 AM
Yemen suffers from one of the most critical water shortages on the planet. About 90 percent of its water resources are used for irrigation, and the country’s ground water reservoirs are polluted and have been overexploited for more than two decades. Furthermore, about 40 percent of Yemen’s urban population is not connected to a safe centralized water supply system, while about two-thirds have no access to proper sanitation services.
But the picture is not hopeless, said participants in ceremonies held on March 22 in Amran governorate celebrating World Water Day and declaring 2008 the Year of Water for Amran. The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Water Resources Authority and Amran Governorate in cooperation with the German Institute for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Dutch Embassy and the World Bank.
During the ceremonies, Prime Minister Ali Mujawar said that the goal of the ceremony is to highlight the importance of providing safe drinking water in urban and rural areas. “It is imperative that we improve sanitation services and provide a healthy environment for human communities,” he said. “Such events would enhance other sustainable development efforts and improve the health, economic and social advancement of all people.” “We are responsible for providing safe potable water in sufficient quantities for future generations, said Abdul-Rahman al-Eryani, Minister of Water and Environment. “The water problem has been worsening annually and we need to pursue real policies through which we can manage our water resources. The governmental and non-governmental institutions should cooperate to find suitable solutions,” he said.
The governor of Amran, Noman Duweid, pointed out that the idea of announcing 2008 the Year of Water for Amran aims to encourage the completion of all water projects and to develop a strategy for future projects, including dams, strategic barriers and the protection of the Amran basin.
Dr. Gerhard Lichtenthaeler from GTZ explained, “In its current phase, until June 2009, GTZ supports the National Water Resources Authority to establish a basin water management committee and to draft a water resources management action plan to find solutions for the critically water-stressed Amran basin. The governorate of Amran has allocated a substantial proportion of its annual budget to water projects and water resources management,” he said.
The children of Amran demonstrated the importance of water for life in an operetta presented as part of the ceremonies. In an optimistic but realistic presentation, the children depicted Yemen’s current water difficulties.
People around the world celebrated the day to also draw attention to the world’s sanitation challenges, as World Water Day 2008 also highlights issues of sanitation in accordance with the International Year of Sanitation 2008.