Development Team Evaluates Community Initiative Projects in Maqbana District

Sana'a: A joint development team in Taiz Governorate conducted a field visit on Tuesday to Al Habiba area in Maqbana District to monitor and assess community initiative projects, identify needs, and enhance their sustainability. According to Yemen News Agency, the team, comprising local and executive officials, representatives of the Central Emergency Development Interventions Unit, and the Agricultural and Fisheries Community Initiative Projects Financing Unit, aimed to activate community initiatives focused on rainwater harvesting tanks and assess their benefits. During the visit, the team reviewed several completed projects, including a water distribution tank in Al-Awtia area, a rainwater harvesting tank and two hand-dug wells in Al-Arf area, funded by the Central Emergency Development Interventions Unit. The team also assessed the benefits of five water distribution tanks in Al-Arf, implemented with support from Taiz's local authority, and their role in improving water services, enhancing water securi ty, providing sustainable water sources, and supporting agriculture and livestock activities in rural areas. The team reviewed stalled projects, including the establishment of Imam Hussein bin Ali School and a rainwater harvesting tank project in Al-Arf. The visit also included discussions with community committees on challenges hindering stalled projects and possible solutions to resume and complete them through cooperation between the community and relevant authorities. The team agreed to adopt priority new community initiatives, particularly rainwater harvesting projects, and formed community follow-up committees to oversee implementation and ensure sustainability. A specialized technical team was also tasked with preparing studies, designs, specifications, and estimated costs for proposed projects. The team further discussed mechanisms to link rainwater harvesting projects with initiatives to improve the production and marketing of traditional cheese, supporting livestock development, increasing dairy production, and improving local livelihoods.