Sana'a - Saba:
A workshop on the implementation mechanism for the groundwater recharge program, "Blessings from the Sky and Earth," was held on Monday in Sana'a to establish groundwater recharge projects.
The event was organized by the General Authority for Water Resources and Infrastructure.
The workshop, attended by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Water Resources Authority, aimed to familiarize participants with the program’s implementation mechanism. This initiative seeks to enhance groundwater reserves, mitigate the decline in water levels, and work toward increasing them.
Participants gained insights into utilizing rainwater and floodwaters through water harvesting systems, reducing flood damage, and transforming challenges into opportunities for groundwater replenishment. The goal is to optimize water resources to meet population needs (drinking and irrigation) , enhance water and food security.
During the opening session, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources Dr. Radwan Al-Rubai emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure water security for drinking, irrigation, agriculture, and industrial projects.
"Today, our priorities are providing drinking water, preserving water reserves, and protecting drinking water basins," he said, noting that water scarcity and difficulties in obtaining permits for industrial and investment projects are key drivers of rural-to-urban migration.
Dr. Al-Rubai explained that the workshop aligns with the directives of the leadership and the Supreme Political Council, as part of the government’s program to meet population needs and strengthen water security.
"We are accountable before God and society to prioritize drinking water and agriculture, followed by industrial and investment needs," he added.
The minister highlighted the program’s necessity amid increasing well-drilling requests, uncontrolled extraction, drought, and low public awareness, which have led to declining water levels.
He stressed the importance of turning to God for rain, quoting the Quran: "If the people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth."
The program will involve local authorities and business leaders in drafting proposals before submission to the government for approval. Dr. Al-Rubai expressed hope that the initiative would recharge groundwater, reduce agricultural costs, and address water scarcity.
He called on media outlets to support awareness campaigns under the "Water and Life" program and urged religious and agricultural guidance bodies to educate the public on the program’s importance.
Adel Bader, Deputy Minister of Electricity, Energy, and Water, praised the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment Protection Authority, noting the program’s positive impact on securing drinking water.
He described the workshop as a milestone for the government’s achievements, particularly in groundwater recharge, and highlighted critical basins like Rada’a, where wells reach 900 meters deep.
Bader noted that 500 water projects have dried up, necessitating recharge through dams. He affirmed his ministry’s support in securing funding and coordination with water authorities.
Ali Qadi, Head of the Tihama Development Authority, stressed the need for water conservation policies and collective efforts to utilize rainwater and floods for groundwater recharge in mountainous and coastal areas.
He shared success stories of communities returning to rural areas after water levels rose by over 3.5 million cubic meters, pledging cooperation with relevant authorities.
Eng. Abdulkarim Al-Sufiani, Deputy Head of the Water Resources Authority, underscored the workshop’s importance, noting that Yemen receives 67–73 billion cubic meters of rainwater annually, yet only 2.5 billion are utilized, with the rest wasted.
He emphasized the need to balance water extraction with development demands, as Yemen’s annual consumption reaches five billion cubic meters.
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