Impact
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Over the years of war, the water sector in Taiz Governorate suffered extensive damage, affecting both the institutional capacity of the water authorities and the water networks, which were also severely damaged by the impact of the conflict.
Water networks in Taiz City sustained numerous forms of damage, most notably the theft of water meters and breaks in household water networks. Although the Water Corporation resumed operations in recent years, the lack of water supply continued to be a problem affecting residents throughout the governorate.
Recently, the Water Corporation began supplying water to some residential neighborhoods from emergency wells located in areas under the control of the internationally recognized government. However, many households did not receive water because of damage to both public and private networks. This placed the Water Corporation in a difficult position and created a need for community support, particularly through residents repairing and maintaining the water networks serving their homes.
The need for community support was compounded by the lack of engagement from neighborhood leaders with the Water Corporation’s calls for action, as well as the absence of regular communication and coordination between the two sides. This had a negative impact on community engagement and left its role largely absent.
As the Sanad 2 Project for Strengthening Community Stability, implemented by Sheba Youth Foundation for Development with funding from Jusoor Program, aims to support the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation in delivering services to citizens, Sheba Youth Foundation for Development organized a conference for neighborhood leaders to support the Corporation in restoring its services. More than 600 neighborhood leaders from the Al-Mudhaffar, Al-Qahirah, and Salh districts participated in the conference.
The conference was preceded by a workshop targeting 20 senior neighborhood leaders from the targeted districts. The workshop aimed to establish a mechanism for communication and coordination between neighborhood leaders and the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation, and to develop a clear action matrix to address gaps in communication and coordination.
Zaeem Noman, a man in his fifties and neighborhood leader of Al-Tahrir Al-A'laa, said: “The conference organized by Sheba Youth Foundation drew our attention to the positive role we can play in supporting the return of water services.”
The impact of the conference was reflected in the increased engagement and responsiveness of neighborhood leaders toward the Water Corporation and their serious efforts to support the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation. Several neighborhood leaders began issuing notices to residents urging them to repair and maintain the water networks serving their homes and install water meters.
Ali Mohammed Hazaa Al-Shujaa, the neighborhood leader of Al-Bank Al-Zira’i and Al-Ataa neighborhoods, was among the first to take the initiative to communicate these messages to residents in his neighborhood. He issued a notice urging residents to repair and maintain their household water networks and install meters as soon as possible. The notice contributed to residents taking action accordingly.
Al-Shujaa explains: “This project reminded us of the importance of collective action in accessing essential services. I issued the notice so that I could contribute to supporting the return of water services to the city.”
The positive engagement of neighborhood leaders continued, with leaders actively participating in raising residents’ awareness and maintaining effective communication with the Water Corporation.
Resident Salim Marai said: “This is the first time I have seen the neighborhood leader repeatedly and persistently urging residents to repair their water meters. This is a positive development, and it has given us a great deal of hope that the return of water services is getting closer.”