JICA Activities in Yemen (as of March 2010)

Yemen largely depends on the underground water due to the scarcity of precipitation amount. The recent rapid population growth and increase of water consumption for agriculture sector (especially, qat cultivation) cause the overuse of groundwater. In consequence, many regions are facing the depletion of water resources recently. In 2005 Yemen Government approved the National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Programme (NWSSIP) 2005-2009, which proposes a set of measures addressing issues in water sector and promotes the conservation and better management of water resources.
Japan conducted a Development Study "The Study for Water Resources Management and Rural Water Supply Improvement in the Republic of Yemen" from 2005 to 2007, which formulated the plan for introducing rural water supply projects and formulated the action plan for water resource management for Sana'a Basin which is at the risk of water depletion.

General Grant Aid "The Project for Rural Water Supply In Yemen " (2009)

Based on the result of the Development Study mentioned above, JICA is preparing to start rural water supply projects of new construction and rehabilitatation in 19 sites in five governorates, namely Sana'a, Ibb, Taiz, Almahwet and Dhamar. The number of beneficiaries for this project will be about 150,000 people living in rural areas.

Technical Cooperation "The Project for Enhancement of Community Based Water Management" (Planning 2010-）

Aligning with the above project, JICA is planning to support technical cooperation for establishing Community Based Water Resource Management System in the targeted areas of the Rural Water Supply project.

Third Country Training "Water Resources Management In Yemen" ( Egypt/2008－2010)

The training targets technicians from public organizations working in water supply. It covers excavation method for ground water development, environment conservation, water quality control, and community-based water resource management.

"Non-Revenue Water" (Jordan/2010－2012)

The training targets technicians from local corporations for water and sanitation in major cities of Yemen namely, Sana'a, Aden, Taiz, Ibb, Alhodeidah, Almukalla. It aims to build the capacities of engineers in the field of non-revenue water so that non-revenue water in Yemen is measured and counter-measures are planned and implemented.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)

Recently one volunteer in the field of water quality management has worked with the National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) Sana'a Branch and another female volunteer in the field of community development has worked with the General Authority for Rural Water Supply Projects (GARWSP) Taiz Branch. The two volunteers through their daily activities work with their Yemeni counterparts to solve issues related to water.