Yemen – Yemenis struggle to drink water amid severe water crisis in Taiz

Last updated Oct 26, 2022

Location: Taiz, Yemen

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:03:35

Voice: Natural

Source: A24 Aden

Restriction: A24 subscribers

Date: 26/10/2022

Storyline:

Yemeni residents of Taiz are grappling with water scarcity due to the lack of water sources and reduced rainfall, especially in the countryside and mountainous areas. Women and children have to travel long distances and wait in long queues to get a 20 liter “gallon” of potable water. Water prices rose significantly as a result of the collapse of the local currency and the increase in fuel prices. People complained to A24 about the difficulties they face daily in obtaining water amid the imposed blockade and deteriorating economic conditions caused by the eight-year war. They called on the government and relevant institutions to intervene to solve the water crisis.

Shot list:

Soundbite (Um Alaa – Citizen):

We buy a water bottle (5 liters capacity) for 300 Yemeni riyals, and it is not enough for us to drink. I do not drink it. My kids only drink water drops. Our neighbors and I cannot do anything, we are tired and our condition is not good, and the situation is not reassuring. We are homeless.”

Soundbite (Fouad Abdel Khaleq – Citizen):

Residents of Taiz and other areas, in general, suffer from water scarcity because it is a mountainous area and water tanks do not reach it easily. Only people who experience our suffering can understand us, no matter what we say or describe. The struggle to get water is uphill. We hope that the relevant institutions will consider our living conditions and take an interest in the availability of water, whether drinking water or water for daily use.”

Soundbite (Ammar Al-Alami – Social Activist):

“The city of Taiz has been under siege for eight years, and the economic situation is very deteriorating. Citizens are now looking for a drop of water. They wait in line for two or three days to get water. They get a 20-liter water bottle for five or seven people, and that’s not enough.”