The war and strife had dramatic consequences for the water services. The population became less able to pay. Internally displaced persons found shelter in cities, significantly increasing the task load of the utilities. Then with the conflict between different factions the possibility of political interference in the running of water systems increased. Besides there are important challenges on the operational side: damage to water infrastructure, wildly fluctuating fuel prices and disrupted energy supplies, unavailability of spare parts and water treatment material. All these elements amplified the disaster beyond the original hostilities in Yemen.
Yet in this period of severe crisis there have been many highlights, such as water utilities that managed to keep a decent level of services during the times of war, with some even expanding coverage. Some utilities achieved nearly full cost recovery, as everyone realized this was the only way to sustain services. Such highlights are testimony to the resilience of people in general, and the ingenuity of the people of Yemen in general with a long history of finding solutions to intricate water problems.
The good practices were collected as part of an award competition. The award was done in commemoration of the late Professor Abdulla Babaqi, who has been guiding many of us in understanding the importance of water and the prerogative of safe water services means for our health and the stability of our lives. This led Professor Abdulla Babaqi
to set up the Water and Environment Centre of the University of Sana’a – giving a face to integrated water resources management in Yemen and educating a new much needed generation of water professionals and practitioners.
We hope the good practices developed during Yemen’s severe crisis will benefit may, not just in Yemen but also in other countries which face similar existential crises.
