Programme

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

UNICEF facilitates access to clean water and sanitation services for children and their families in Yemen

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The Challenge

In one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, conflict has had a strong impact on the access to water and adequate sanitation services for the Yemeni people.

In a country where more than 16 million people (including 8.47 million children) are in urgent need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance, access to clean and safe drinking water remains crucial for the good health and survival of children and their caregivers. WASH needs remain substantially high due to the increasing number of displaced people as a result of the escalation of conflict, natural disasters, food insecurity and epidemic outbreaks.

The disruption of public services, especially in the health and WASH sectors, large-scale displacement and the wide spread of deadly diseases, such as cholera, has made the population even more vulnerable. Overall, only one third of Yemen’s population is connected to a piped water network.

If funds are not urgently mobilized to continue support for fuel, which is essential to the production and distribution of clean water, access to safe water will dramatically decrease. More than 3.6 million people will face disruption of access to safe drinking water. This will generate significant health and nutrition consequences, on a population that is already facing malnutrition and spread of waterborne and sanitation related diseases.

More than 16 million people, including 8.47 million children, urgently need assistance to access WASH services,otherwise they are at heightened risk of water borne diseases, malnutrition and other life-threatening conditions.

9.4 million people are in acute need for WASH services otherwise, they are at heightened risk of water borne diseases, malnutrition and other life-threatening conditions.

The Solution

UNICEF has been scaling up its response in water, sanitation and hygiene to prevent and control diseases.

Together with partners, UNICEF has also been scaling up its emergency WASH assistance to ensure sustainable WASH services through capacity building of local WASH authorities, solarisation of water systems and rain water harvesting.

UNICEF provided access to safe and sustained drinking water to 8.8 million people (5.3 million children) through a wide spectrum of activities including water trucking, the installation of water distribution points, and the expansion of water supply systems to IDP camps. We also provide fuel to support the production and distribution of clean water to 36 Local Water and Sanitation Corporations in 15 Governorates.
UNICEF reached more than 5.1 million people with critical water, sanitation and hygiene supplies (including hygiene items) and services and messages on appropriate hygiene practices.
In urban areas, UNICEF WASH support includes provision of fuel, electricity, spare parts, water quality monitoring and disinfectants for chlorination of water supply. UNICEF supports Local Water and Sanitation Corporations (LWSCs) with operation, and maintenance of waste water and rehabilitation of sewage systems in 15 cities across Yemen.

In 2022, the UNICEF HAC appeals for US$100M to deliver its humanitarian WASH programme. Urgent needs total US$60 million.

UNICEF Yemen/2021 In response to the alarming cholera situation in Taizz province, UNICEF has deployed 48 rapid response teams to combat cholera and acute watery diarrhea in the city.