Ateeq Mohamed Khalil, a resident of the village of Akroub – al-Qubaya›a in the District of Qabaytah of the Governorate of Lahj –  speaks of the hardship people suffer because of water scarcity. Seasonal rain is sparse and light, and most springs and wells have dried up. Supplying clean water to homes is not accessible to many: People have to travel long distance, the roads are rough and rugged, and the water source may not be safe for peoples› health.

Ateeq Mohamed says the water scarcity in his village has forced his uncle and members of his family to take their livestock and migrate to a nearby district. There are many families like his uncle›s who have also left the village because of lack of sufficient water. The problem was made worse by the influx of tens of displaced families, increasing demand and pressure on the available water sources.

Yellow Teeth

Wadhah Murshed wants to prove his point by saying people are suffering from the lack of safe water-sources by saying: «People of different age groups, males and females have yellow teeth because there is a lack of safe sources of water.»

Stability

The PWP intervened in the area by implementing a rainwater harvesting tank that will bring stability to the area, sparing people from being forced to migrate to other areas where water is easily accessible. Ateeq Khalil thinks that the tank will provide clean water and will reduce hardship for women and children of the residents and IDPs alike – saving them the time and energy of having to fetch water from long distances.

Another Aspect|

The implementation of the rainwater harvesting tank, in an area where almost all of its inhabitants are poor or displaced people who have lost everything – like the people living in Akroub-al-Baqaya›a - would translate into the creation of job opportunities and a new source of income for a community that only aspires to securing a daily loaf of bread and water.

Marzooq Ahmed, one of the representatives of the IDPs community in the area, explains further by saying: «The rainwater harvesting tank created a source of income – although temporary – for many families who would be content with a dried loaf of bread and some water or tea for their only daily meal - the living conditions IDPs and local residents have to endure are so harsh and rough.