Mahwit – Saba:
The Community Initiative Support Project Esnad concluded on Wednesday in Milhan District of Al-Mahwit province, with the successful construction and renovation of 59 houses for families affected by flooding.
The initiative falls within the Disaster and Emergency Response Program and was implemented through a partnership between the local authority, Bonyan Development Foundation, the local cooperative association, and community members, under the supervision of the Supreme Emergency Committee.
During the closing event, First Deputy Prime Minister Allama Mohammed Miftah praised the project as a pioneering model of community-driven cooperative construction, launched by a conscious grassroots initiative that turned a crisis into an opportunity for progress. He emphasized that what was achieved in Milhan demonstrates the community's ability to overcome challenges through its own capabilities when given support and proper guidance.
He highlighted that relocating the project to a safer, carefully selected site was a key factor in its success and sustainability, stressing that proper planning is essential in responding to natural disasters.
Miftah also noted that Milhan’s experience deserves to be replicated across other districts and governorates, especially amid growing efforts to promote cooperative work nationwide. He pointed out that the social environment in Milhan—with its awareness, engagement, and institutions—formed a solid foundation for the project’s success.
“What we witness today confirms that Yemeni society remains vibrant and proactive, capable of overcoming challenges when empowered and motivated,” he stated, calling for the expansion of such initiatives into essential sectors like education, healthcare, and road development.
He further noted that the rugged terrain of the area requires even greater efforts to facilitate transportation and serve residents.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration and Rural Development, Mohammed Al-Madani, said the Milhan project marked a qualitative leap in community initiatives, with local residents taking the lead in planning and implementation, while official institutions played a supportive and facilitating role.
He stressed that this model highlights the need to activate the cooperative sector as a third pillar of development alongside the public and private sectors, opening new horizons for grassroots development.
“We are not celebrating what the government has provided today, but rather what this great community has accomplished as a shining example of solidarity and collective action,” he said. Al-Madani praised the Milhan Association and its members for launching a replicable initiative that should be taught and scaled up, positioning the cooperative sector as a key pillar for the future.
He also pointed out that despite the siege and aggression Yemen faces, the country’s principled stance in support of the Palestinian cause has not deterred its people from building and producing. He emphasized that reliance on God and collective work are the driving forces behind ongoing achievements across the governorates.
For his part, Al-Mahwit Governor Hanin Qutaynah commended the active role of Bonyan Foundation, the local cooperative association, and the community, describing the Milhan project as a model worth replicating in other districts due to its organization, awareness, and collaboration.
Engineer Ali Maher, Head of Field Coordination at Bonyan Development Foundation, explained that the project was built on a participatory vision from the outset—starting with setting priorities and selecting the new site, to the actual construction. He emphasized the foundation's belief that communities are the cornerstone of any sustainable development.
In addition to the reconstruction project, Maher stated that work was carried out at 96 sites facing flood threats, with risks eliminated at 44 locations through community initiatives supported by the foundation, local authorities, and the Milhan Cooperative Association.
He added that coordination between the foundation, local authorities, the cooperative association, and residents played a major role in the successful completion of the project, achieving a tangible impact on both services and the social fabric.
Milhan District Director Ghamdan Al-Azki confirmed that the project restored stability to dozens of families who had lost their homes due to flooding. He affirmed the district’s commitment to supporting community initiatives across various sectors, leveraging the cooperative spirit fostered by this exemplary experience.
Meanwhile, Hassan Soud, Secretary-General of the Milhan Cooperative Association, said the association worked from the beginning to mobilize and organize community efforts, creating an effective cooperative environment that contributed significantly to the project’s success. He noted that mutual trust between the community and its institutions was the foundation for this achievement.
He concluded by emphasizing the association’s continued commitment to encouraging community initiatives and promoting self-reliance to help improve living and service conditions in the district.
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