Ongoing efforts to enhance food security in Yemen
In a move reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting the brotherly Yemeni people, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center continued its development and relief efforts by implementing strategic projects aimed at enhancing food security and supporting infrastructure. In this context, the Center recently announced the rehabilitation of the veterinary clinic building in Ghayl Bawazir District, as well as the health unit affiliated with the Animal Health and Veterinary Quarantine Department in Sayun District, Hadramawt Governorate. This achievement falls under the Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural and Fisheries Empowerment Project in the Republic of Yemen, which aims to create a sustainable economic environment.
Historical context and the importance of development interventions
Historically, a large segment of the Yemeni population has relied on agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing as primary sources of income. With these vital sectors severely impacted by the crisis that has gripped the country since 2014, the urgent need for sustainable development interventions, rather than simply emergency aid, has become paramount. Since its establishment in 2015 under the guidance of the Saudi leadership, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has undertaken the responsibility of implementing comprehensive programs that contribute to rebuilding productive sectors. This, in turn, positively impacts the stability of Yemeni families, creates new job opportunities, and reduces reliance on direct food assistance.
Local praise for the Kingdom's humanitarian role
Engineer Hisham Al-Saidi, Assistant Undersecretary of Hadramawt Governorate for the Valley and Desert Districts, expressed his deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. Al-Saidi praised the Kingdom's significant humanitarian and relief efforts in Yemen in general, and in Hadramawt Governorate in particular. He affirmed that the rehabilitation of veterinary centers will, God willing, contribute to providing highly efficient animal healthcare services, leading to the development of livestock, reducing livestock mortality, and enhancing the speed of response to diseases and epidemics that could decimate livestock populations and threaten local food security.
Comprehensive support for the resilience of farmers and fishermen
The project's efforts are not limited to Hadramawt Governorate alone, but extend to the governorates of Ma'rib, Al Mahrah, Shabwah, and Socotra. The project primarily aims to support the resilience of farmers and fishermen and to actively contribute to food production to meet the needs of local markets. This is achieved through a package of integrated interventions that include:
- Providing agricultural inputs such as seeds, equipment, and safety tools.
- Distribution of fishing boats, veterinary kits and greenhouses.
- Providing the necessary training to beneficiaries on best agricultural and fisheries practices.
- Supporting irrigation systems by providing pumps to lift water from wells, and establishing modern drip irrigation networks.
- Land reclamation for farmers affected by floods, and rehabilitation of local markets.
- Supporting animal husbandry through the distribution of goats and beehives, along with providing specialized training.
It is expected that around 3,000 individuals will benefit directly, and 21,000 individuals indirectly, from this comprehensive development package, thus boosting the economic cycle in those governorates.
Regional and international impact of the project
At both the regional and international levels, these initiatives reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 1 and 2, which aim to eradicate poverty and hunger. Shifting the focus of support from immediate relief to economic and developmental empowerment is a successful strategy to ensure the long-term recovery of the Yemeni economy, thereby enhancing the stability of the entire region and mitigating the impact of humanitarian crises that require concerted international efforts.
