Saudi-European agreement to support water projects in Marib with 9 million riyals
In a strategic move reflecting the depth of international and regional commitment to improving living conditions in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the European Union have joined forces in their development efforts by signing a new agreement aimed at addressing one of the most important challenges facing the Yemeni people: the challenge of "water security".
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) the European Union (EU) Delegation announced the launch of a joint project entitled “Enhancing Water Security in Marib Governorate”, with funding of up to 9 million Saudi Riyals, and in executive partnership with the Silah Development Foundation.
Project details and scope of implementation
This agreement is the first fruit of direct cooperation between the two parties, as the project aims to cover the needs of 9 vital areas distributed across three main districts in Marib Governorate, namely:
- Marib Valley Directorate.
- Marib City Directorate.
- Harib Directorate.
The project primarily aims to rehabilitate water infrastructure and provide clean and sustainable water sources, which contributes to reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and promoting public health, as well as supporting social stability in these areas.
The context of the crisis and the importance of timing
This project is of paramount importance given the geographical and demographic context of Marib Governorate. It is well known that Marib has received hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing conflict zones in recent years, placing immense pressure on basic services, particularly water and electricity.
The Saudi-European intervention at this time comes to alleviate the severity of the water crisis that the governorate is suffering from, as providing potable water for drinking and agriculture is a fundamental pillar for strengthening the resilience of the local community and driving economic recovery, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dimensions of the strategic partnership
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the General Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, the European Union Ambassador to Yemen, Patrick Simonnet, and the Executive Director of the Silah Development Foundation, Ali Hassan Bashmakh.
Both sides emphasized that this agreement is not merely a service project, but rather the foundation for a new phase of joint development work that focuses on:
- Uniting international efforts to maximize developmental impact.
- Transition from emergency relief to sustainable development.
- Building the capacities of Yemeni institutions and improving livelihoods.
Saudi Arabia's developmental role in Yemen
It is worth noting that the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen is the Kingdom’s development arm in Yemen, where it has implemented hundreds of development projects and initiatives that have included multiple vital sectors such as education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, in addition to building the capacities of government institutions, reflecting the Kingdom’s strategy to support Yemen’s long-term stability and prosperity.
