As the world marks World Water Day (22 March), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) share stories from Yemen that show how access to clean water can transforms people's lives.
IFRC noticed that in Yemen, where water scarcity remains a pressing challenge, clean water is not just about survival—it’s about dignity, education, and a brighter future for children.
Thanks to a dedicated water and sanitation project launched in a school in the city of Damar by the Yemen Red Crescent, where the school underwent a much-needed renovation. New water taps were installed, and proper plumbing was put in place for the bathrooms.
The renovations were one of several initiatives by the Yemen Red Crescent Society to upgrade or install new clean water and sanitation services in communities where needs are most acute. The work is supported through a joint initiative of the European Union and the IFRC known as the Programmatic Partnership.
In another Yemeni community, a similar story is unfolding, the Yemen Red Crescent and the Programmatic Partnership embarked on an ambitious project to help alleviate the situation in Al Souq Al Jadid, Kharif District , Amran governorate.
Over a period of five months, the Yemen Red Crescent oversaw the installation of a reliable water distribution system that is now bringing clean water directly to homes. Today, more than 8,000 people—1,200 families across 900 households—benefit from the project.
Gone are the days of waiting for mobile water tankers, uncertain of when the next supply would arrive. Now, water is pumped to a collection tank in Al-Birr and then distributed directly to homes in Al Souq Al Jadid.
For the community, this project has been life-changing. The struggles of collecting water from distant wells in Al Souq Al Jadid of Kharif District are over.
Women no longer spend hours on the road or at rainwater pools. And most importantly, families now have safe, clean water to drink.
What was once a daily hardship is now a distant memory. Clean water has not just quenched thirst in this community—it has transformed lives.