The Red Crescent Implements Two Projects as Part of Sheikha Fatima’s Initiatives to Improve Essential Services in Yemen

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has carried out the eighth project of the “Mother of the Nation” initiatives in Yemen, which involved providing water to several Yemeni villages lacking this vital resource. Additionally, the ERC launched the first phase of the ninth project, *”My Profession, My Craft,”* in Aden, aimed at enhancing the capacities of Yemeni women. These efforts align with the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Honorary Chairwoman of the Emirates Red Crescent, to improve essential services for those affected by the events in Yemen.

The water provision project targeted several Yemeni villages suffering from a severe lack of water resources. The initiative began in the towns of Qawa and Mashhoor in southern Yemen, where the shortage of clean water is particularly dire. The project involved drilling wells, installing solar-powered pumps, and extending water networks to these villages. Thousands of families who previously faced significant challenges accessing clean water now benefit from this initiative.

The project will expand to other villages following the ERC’s plan. The organization is working swiftly across Yemen to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and restore normalcy to their lives. The ERC has focused on ensuring the sustainability of these projects by using alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, to minimize operational costs.

The ninth project, “My Profession, My Craft,” aims to empower Yemeni women and girls by providing them with women’s tailoring workshops. This initiative helps them establish a stable source of income to support themselves and their families as they face life’s challenges.

In its first phase, the project benefits 300 women and girls in rural areas of Lahij Governorate. The products from these tailoring workshops, such as women’s clothing, will be used to support displaced women in various Yemeni governorates. The ERC has provided the beneficiaries with sewing machines, fabrics, and other materials. According to the ERC’s plan, the project will become self-sustaining within six months of operation and production.

In a press statement, the ERC emphasized that the projects directed by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak are progressing efficiently. These projects were carefully studied to address the critical needs of the Yemeni community across vital sectors. The ERC stressed that improving the lives of women and their families in Yemen is a priority, as women are among the most affected by the current crisis.

The ERC highlighted Her Highness Sheikha Fatima’s continuous efforts to empower displaced and refugee women worldwide. The Refugee Women and Child Support Fund, established by Her Highness years ago, has played a pivotal role in improving the lives of women and children in refugee camps and unstable regions.

The ERC stated that the first phase of this vital project is only the beginning, with plans to extend it to other governorates as per the ERC’s strategy. The organization remains committed to ensuring its projects’ sustainability and operational viability for the beneficiaries.

Several beneficiaries of the project expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for her initiative to alleviate their suffering and improve their economic and social conditions. They affirmed that the initiative provides them with a stable source of income to help them face life’s challenges.

Residents of the villages benefiting from the water project also expressed their gratitude. They noted that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima’s initiative had resolved their longstanding water scarcity issues, bringing water networks to areas that had been excluded for years. They thanked the ERC for completing the water project swiftly, ensuring access to one of life’s most critical resources for thousands of residents in southern Yemeni governorates.

It is noteworthy that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s initiatives in Yemen have supported 15 projects across Aden and neighboring governorates. These initiatives span various essential sectors, including healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities, and improvements in water, electricity, housing, and family stability, particularly for nomadic communities in coastal areas.