A child in Yemen by Carl Waldmeier, licensed by CC.
The Yemeni Houthis are causing a significant issue by targeting ships in the Red Sea en route to the Suez Canal. They are also using water as a weapon, leading to a severe water crisis in Yemen. A recent UN report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts that Yemen’s freshwater resources will be completely depleted by 2030.
The report highlights that conflicts in Yemen often revolve around water due to its scarcity. Yemen is considered the poorest country in terms of water resources. The FAO emphasizes the urgent need for better water governance to ensure sustainable use and management of water resources.
Furthermore, Yemen is facing challenges in water sustainability, with the annual per capita water share well below the required threshold. The agricultural sector, mainly qat cultivation, consumes a large portion of water resources, leading to groundwater depletion at an alarming rate.
Climate change and population growth exacerbate the water scarcity issue in Yemen. As a result, millions of people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Women are disproportionately affected by the water crisis, as they bear the burden of water scarcity in their daily lives.
The depletion of water resources in Yemen threatens the country’s agricultural transformation agenda. It is crucial to address these challenges promptly to avert a catastrophic water crisis in the near future.
