RSD’s WASH program started in 2016 as an emergency response to the impact of war on Yemeni communities’ access to water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies and facilities. Since then, RSD has continued to support vulnerable, conflict-affected people in areas of Yemen with limited access to WASH assistance—including during the deadliest cholera outbreak in Yemen’s history. The program focuses on serving vulnerable communities by improving water supply and sanitation as well as providing hygiene items and awareness. This is accomplished through three primary interventions:

Providing improved water access through the installation of new household rainwater harvesting systems and rehabilitating community water supplies.
Promoting hygiene through the set up of hand wash stations and distribution of soap and other items which help prevent the spread of cholera and COVID-19.
Supporting sanitation improvements in rural village communities to reduce the potential for transmission of water-borne diseases.

WASH Program

Strengthen resourcefulness in Yemeni communities by increasing sustainable access to safe water and sanitation facilities and promoting hygiene practices to equip the most vulnerable Yemeni girls, boys, women, and men to protect themselves from health risks and allocate more time to education and economic opportunities.

Strategic Objective:

Increase access to water and sanitation facilities for men, women, and children in crisis-affected areas to strengthen resilience against the outbreak of WASH-related communicable diseases.
Improve understanding of essential hygiene practices that reduce morbidity and mortality among children and mothers.
Remove barriers to behavior change that hinder communities from applying the knowledge they already have.