Yemen - IOM has completed a one-week training on water quality control, and operation and management of water pumping equipment for 250 technicians representing one hundred Water Management Committees formed under IOM’s direction across Yemen’s Abyan Governorate.

Armed conflict in Abyan between government forces and militants linked to Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has resulted in the widespread damage of water infrastructure and networks.

The IOM training was designed to build the capacity of the committees to ensure the sustainability of water supply to their communities, and to enhance the quality control of safe drinking water.

The workshop included instruction in the use and repair of various types of water pumps and engines for different water wells, and the use of water testing kits. Training and information on water-borne diseases and the various techniques for storing water safely also were discussed.

IOM distributed water testing kits (chlorine, PH and salinity) to each participant and explained how to use them effectively.

“IOM WASH teams are active in all districts of Abyan Governorate.  Their interventions have contributed to safer access to water and less conflict over scarce resource » said IOM Yemen Chief of Mission Nicoletta Giordano.

The workshop was funded by USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) as part of an IOM project: “Joint Emergency Nutrition, WASH and Health Programming for Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Communities in Northern Al-Jawf and Abyan Governorates."

For more information please contact:

IOM Yemen

Marco Chimenton

Tel: +967(2) 272-796/97

Email: mchimenton@iom.int

Or

Dax Bennett Roque

Tel. +967 (1) 410-568/572

Email: droque@iom.int