[02/09/2026 06:20]

LAHJ - SABA
Lahj Governor Murad al-Halimi met on Wednesday with representatives of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Yemen.

The two sides discussed implementation of a package of housing, service, and agricultural projects in the governorate.

The projects include the rehabilitation of 160 damaged homes in al-Houta, improvements to water and sanitation services, and measures to mitigate flood risks.

The meeting, attended by UN-Habitat Coordinator Dr. Mohammed Eidrous and Engineering Team Specialist Eng. Bassam Thabet, focused on plans for housing and service interventions scheduled for 2026 and 2027, as well as priorities for implementation based on assessed needs.

Governor al-Halimi underscored the importance of surveying damaged homes and identifying beneficiary families through accurate and reliable data. He directed the governorate’s Public Works and Roads Office, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to promptly prepare the necessary lists to facilitate the commencement of rehabilitation works. He also affirmed that the Lahj local authority would provide the necessary support and facilitation to ensure the project’s successful implementation.

The meeting also addressed the project to strengthen resilience to climate change, water scarcity, and flooding in the Lahj Delta, particularly Wadi Tuban.

Funded by the Climate Fund, the project includes interventions in the water and sanitation sectors, including the rehabilitation of wastewater treatment ponds in Al-Wahṭ and Ṭahrūr, the establishment of specialized laboratories for water and sanitation testing, and the construction of water storage tanks.

The participants further reviewed plans to install solar power systems to operate water wells in al-Houta and the cities of al-Wahṭ and al-Mahallah in Tuban District.

The systems are expected to improve the reliability of water supplies and the efficiency of well operations, while supporting water and sanitation infrastructure in the targeted areas.

The two sides also discussed agricultural interventions and measures to mitigate flood risks, particularly the rehabilitation of irrigation canals, restoration of canal gates, and construction of gabion protection walls.

These measures are intended to reduce erosion affecting agricultural land and infrastructure, protect property, and support the sustainability of agricultural activities in the delta areas.

The meeting emphasized the importance of coordination among UN-Habitat, the Lahj local authority, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that projects target the areas and groups most in need, promote integration among housing, service, and agricultural interventions, and maximize their developmental and humanitarian impact.

UN-Habitat representatives stated that the interventions were being implemented in close coordination with the Lahj governorate leadership and relevant authorities.

They noted that the objective was to direct support toward the sectors most in need, improve the quality of basic services, and ensure that citizens benefit from the projects scheduled for implementation during the coming phase.

---