The Minister of Water announces the launch of the first phase of the seawater desalination project in Aden.

Minister Announces Project Launch

Engineer Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, Yemen’s Minister of Water and Environment, announced the commencement of a seawater desalination project in Aden. The project will have a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day and is funded by the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen.

Agreement Signed with Saudi Development Company

The project’s launch follows the signing of an agreement between the Saudi Program and the Saudi Development and Construction Company, which will execute the project. This initiative aims to address the pressing water crisis in the region.

Strategic Roadmap for Water Security

During the opening of a seminar titled “Desalination in Aden and Coastal Areas to Address the Drinking Water Crisis,” held virtually by the Dutch Embassy in Yemen, Minister Al-Sharjabi confirmed the arrival of Saudi engineers in Aden. They will begin site preparations for the project, marking the first phase of a coordinated government roadmap for seawater desalination. This roadmap emphasizes technical, financial, and institutional foundations and adopts a gradual approach. Initially, the project will supply water to the industrial sector, eventually expanding to meet residential and public needs, with a target production capacity of 170,000 cubic meters per day in the coming years.

International Support Acknowledged

Minister Al-Sharjabi expressed gratitude for the support provided by Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands in the water and environment sectors. He highlighted the importance of international partners and donor institutions in assisting the Yemeni government’s efforts to develop desalination projects. This support includes funding, technology transfer, and capacity building, which are crucial for the success of initiatives that aim to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people by providing immediate and sustainable solutions.

Saudi Ambassador Reiterates Commitment

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Yemeni government’s efforts to mitigate humanitarian crises. He emphasized the ongoing collaboration between the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction and the Ministry of Water and Environment to enhance water security and environmental governance. This partnership is based on a shared vision that prioritizes sustainability and operational efficiency.

Dutch Support for Water Sector

Dutch Ambassador Janneke Smeets also confirmed her country’s continued support for Yemen’s water and environment sectors. She noted that capacity building and governance in water and desalination are top priorities for Dutch aid programs, particularly in Aden, which exemplifies the water challenges facing Yemen.

Seminar Addresses Water Crisis

The seminar featured discussions with key figures, including Najeeb Naaman, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment for the Water Sector, and Mohammed Bakhebeira, Director General of the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation in Aden. They, along with representatives from the Green Climate Fund and various international organizations, addressed the acute water crisis in Aden and coastal cities. This crisis stems from excessive extraction of groundwater and surface water, deteriorating water quality, and rising salinity levels, exacerbated by rapid population growth, increasing numbers of displaced persons, and the impacts of climate change. The seminar underscored desalination as one of the most viable and effective options to ensure water security for the city and surrounding coastal areas.

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