Yemen faces an ongoing challenge with its depleting water resources, particularly groundwater, which is essential to the region's agriculture. Mott MacDonald and Oxford Policy Management (OPM) have been providing advice to the Government of Yemen and their key development partners on the preparation of a Water Sector Support Program (WSSP) to improve water supply and sanitation services, agricultural water use and water resources management.

This five year investing plan supported by the World Bank will contribute to the National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Program (NWSSIP), which is undergoing an update to align with the Paris Agreement and Millennium Development Goal targets.

Our design work in supporting the WSSP proposal involved reviewing policy relating to urban and rural water supply and sanitation, agricultural water use and water resources management. We also assisted the Government of Yemen and donors in reaching a formal agreement for a Sector Wide Approach to planning (SWAp) framework within which to launch WSSP.

A policy matrix is being developed to provide a framework for WSSP’s policy development component and proposals for funding support are being advanced. Key suggestions for funding support include:

• focusing attention on the ‘demand side’ of water in agriculture
• establishment of wadi (river) and basin management plans achieved through the active participation of key stakeholders
• socio-economic audits for the rural water supply sector with gender specific and pro-poor indicators