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STORY: FAO / YEMEN IMPROVING WATER ACCESS
TRT: 02:38
SOURCE: FAO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT FAO ON SCREEN
LANGUAGES: ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 6-8 JANUARY 2025, SANA’A BASIN, SANHAN DISTRICT, BANI MATAR DISTRICT, YEMEN
1. Pan left, village, Sana’a Basin
2. Pan left, dry water basin
3. Tilt up, dry water basin
4. Pan left, cultivated fields
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mohammed Naji Ahmed, farmer:
“In the past, water either seeped through the earthen canals delivering water from the spring to the fields or flowed directly out of the main water pool. We struggled because only a quarter of irrigation water reached our crops.”
6. Wide shot, workers restoring ancient water reservoir
7. Close up, worker placing stone
8. Wide shot, worker restoring a wall of the water reservoir
9. Med shot, worker restoring a wall of the water reservoir
10. Wide shot, restored water reservoir
11. Med shot, farmer Mohammed Naji Ahmed opens tap of water pipe
12. Close up, hand opening tap of water pipe
13. Wide shot, farmer at work
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mohammed Naji Ahmed, farmer:
“Now, water is reaching our fields entirely, allowing me to irrigate 150 acres instead of 50. Even when water is scarce, I can still irrigate up to 100 acres.”
15. Tracking shot, workers preparing cement
16. Wide shot, workers preparing cement
17. Med shot, workers restoring water conduct
18. Tracking shot, restored water conduct
19. Med shot, water falling into water conduct
20. Med shot, water falling into water conduct
21. Close up, water falling into water conduct
22. Med shot, water irrigating fields
23. SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Fathel Saleh Jar-Allah, cash-for-work program beneficiary:
“Many households benefited from the cash-for-work approach, as numerous family members earned income through working on these projects, and they used it to meet their needs.”
24. Various shots, FAO trainer analyzing soil
25. Tracking shot, farmer walking, cultivated field
26. Tracking shot, farmer walking, greenhouse
27. Close up, farmer checking plants
28. SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mahdi Abdullah, farmer:
“Local residents are reaping the rewards of this project. Thanks to God and the dedicated team who made it possible, they are now growing almonds, potatoes, several types of grains, and many more crops. People are working on their farms, as the project has benefited them all.”
29. Various, farmer checking almond trees
30. Close up, farmer harvesting strawberries
31. Med shot, farmer hoeing field
32. Wide shot, farmer walking, cultivated field
Yemen faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, driven by prolonged conflict, water scarcity, and the climate crisis.
Over 80 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid, and approximately 16 million depend on agriculture, yet irrigation systems have been severely damaged due to environmental degradation and war.
In Yemen's Sana'a Basin, water infrastructure collapse has caused devastating impacts on agriculture and local livelihoods.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mohammed Naji Ahmed, farmer: “In the past, water either seeped through the earthen canals delivering water from the spring to the fields or flowed directly out of the main water pool. We struggled because only a quarter of irrigation water reached our crops.”
In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Yemen with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, launched a project to restore water resources and strengthen community resilience, while also preserving Yemen's rich cultural heritage.
The project focused on rehabilitating centuries-old dams, canals, and wells that have long sustained this region. By restoring these infrastructures, the project ensured communities have reliable water supplies.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mohammed Naji Ahmed, farmer: “Now, water is reaching our fields entirely, allowing me to irrigate 150 acres instead of 50. Even when water is scarce, I can still irrigate up to 100 acres.”
The intervention was part of the FAO Resilience Programme in the Irrigation and Agricultural Sector, which is rehabilitating critical water infrastructure, strengthening flood protection, and promoting sustainable water governance to ensure long-term food security and resilience.
FAO Yemen implemented irrigation infrastructure restoration and flood protection systems through cash-for-work programs that provided income to vulnerable households while improving water access.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Fathel Saleh Jar-Allah, cash-for-work program beneficiary: “Many households benefited from the cash-for-work approach, as numerous family members earned income through working on these projects, and they used it to meet their needs.”
FAO also provided farmers with organic fertilizers and practical training on sustainable farming techniques. This helped increase agricultural productivity while protecting the environment.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Mahdi Abdullah, farmer: “Local residents are reaping the rewards of this project. Thanks to God and the dedicated team who made it possible, they are now growing almonds, potatoes, several types of grains, and many more crops. People are working on their farms, as the project has benefited them all.”
Conflict, economic crisis and recurrent climate shocks continue to erode rural livelihoods in Yemen.
Dependent on imports for almost all of its wheat and rice, Yemen is highly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
As a result, one in two Yemenis faces acute food insecurity, and over half of children under 5 years of age suffer from acute malnutrition.
In 2024, FAO provided emergency agricultural assistance to 140 764 families, helping them protect their livelihoods and improve food security. An effective humanitarian response in 2025 must prioritize agricultural assistance to help families break free from reliance on food aid.
Without urgent action to restore agricultural livelihoods, millions risk falling deeper into food insecurity.
Investing in agriculture, livestock and fisheries remains one of the most effective ways to promote self-reliance in Yemen.
