Minister of water and environment Abdulraqib al-Shurmani has discussed aspects of cooperation and coordination with UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hanan Sulaiman and UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khader to support the water and environmental sanitation sectors.
In the meeting, al-Shurmani and the UNICEF officials, who are currently visiting Yemen, discussed the UNICEF's possibility to support priority projects and activities in the areas of water and environmental sanitation in urban and rural areas.
They reviewed UNICEF's interventions in water and sanitation projects and ways to mobilize funds for the implementation of priority plans and projects.
It evaluated the UNICEF's interventions in the implemented water and sanitation projects, and the existing coordination mechanism between the ministry and the organization in this field, especially support for sustainable projects for the water sector, and the expansion of renewable energy projects.
The water and Environment minister stressed the keenness to activate coordination with UNICEF to support priority projects in the field of water and sanitation, in a way that alleviates the suffering of citizens in light of the current conditions as a result of the aggression and siege.
Al-Shurmani pointed out that the water and environment sectors need more UNICEF support, including the treatment plant in the capital Sana'a and other projects at the municipality and governorate levels to raise the performance of institutional work and facilitate access to water services for citizens.
Minister Al-Shurmani indicated that the Ministry of Water and Environment's orientation is still based on benefiting from funds and employing support in implementing sustainable projects in the fields of water and environment, expressing hope that UNICEF will continue to support water projects and deliver them to the beneficiaries.
He touched on the possibility of UNICEF support for projects of needs assessment, planning, and support for humanitarian action, especially the development of water resources in light of climate changes and the problems facing Yemen in developing water resources and how to manage them in a sustainable manner.
The Minister of Water and Environment explained that among the Ministry's plans and programs is working to update the water strategy to keep pace with the current changes.
In return, the UNICEF officials stressed the organization's efforts to mobilize more resources to support the implementation of water and environmental sanitation projects in Yemen, especially in the water sector, in addition to the education and health sectors.
They pointed out the importance of setting priorities within the plans and programs of the Ministry of Water and its institutions which helps the organization mobilize additional funds based on studies and assessment of needs and priorities.
The UNICEF officials stressed the importance of having a national water strategy to ensure the development, management, and sustainable use of water resources.
Source: Yemen News Agency