With Saudi funding... a project to improve sanitation services in Marib worth $2.25 million

The International Organization for Migration announced on Sunday that it has launched, in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, a vital project worth 2.25 million US dollars to improve sanitation services for more than 185,000 people in Marib from host communities and internally displaced persons.

The organization said in a statement that this initiative, which extends for a period of 12 months, aims to provide basic support in the field of sanitation and hygiene by improving facilities, supporting local capacities to manage waste, enhancing living conditions to be healthier and safer, and building long-term resilience for communities severely affected by the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

“This project is a lifeline for the people of Marib, who face some of the most difficult conditions in Yemen. Hundreds of thousands of people struggle to access basic sanitation services,” said Abdul Sattar Issouf, IOM Yemen Chief of Mission.

“This initiative provides immediate relief while laying the foundation for lasting, community-led solutions. By providing critical support, we are not only addressing urgent needs, but also helping communities restore a sense of dignity, safety and stability,” he added.

As the area with the largest concentration of displaced people in Yemen, Marib has become the largest host of displaced people in Yemen, sheltering approximately 1.6 million people who have fled conflict, insecurity and deteriorating living conditions across the country.

Once a province of 350,000 people, Marib’s population has now grown to more than two million, putting enormous pressure on its infrastructure and basic services.

This unprecedented rise in displacement has led to overcrowding of displacement sites and increased pressure on local resources, leaving many people without access to adequate sanitation, clean water and waste management systems.

The IOM noted that the Al-Jufainah site alone hosts the largest concentration of displaced people in Yemen, more than 73,000 people, many of whom depend on external aid to meet their basic needs.

Recognizing the pressures on local resources and the urgent need to expand sanitation services, IOM, with significant funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, is implementing a coordinated response to meet these critical needs.

Planned interventions include the construction of 200 household toilets, the rehabilitation of 600 septic tanks, and the provision of basic equipment to enhance local waste management. The project will also support the Marib Hygiene Improvement Fund by providing waste trucks and suction to enhance waste collection and sludge management, making the environment cleaner and safer.

By building local capacities and enhancing infrastructure, this initiative provides immediate relief, increases long-term resilience and promotes self-sufficiency for communities in Marib.

This partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre is a continuation of the Centre’s dedication to supporting the humanitarian efforts of the International Organization for Migration in Yemen, where millions face acute needs.

As the project progresses, IOM will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure effective and sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions are delivered that protect public health, support social stability, and restore hope to those most affected by the ongoing crisis in Yemen.