ADEN — A total of 12 projects to provide access to drinking water was launched Wednesday in Yemen’s Hadhramaut, Abyan and Lahij governorates. The first project in Hadhramaut will provide access to drinking water for 8,000 people from the 58,000 beneficiaries in 11 districts of the three governorates benefiting from the projects. These projects are funded by the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY), the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) and the Selah Foundation for Development. The joint renewable energy venture to improve the quality of life in Yemen also includes the rehabilitation of wells through the implementation of 12 drinking water systems and 35 agricultural irrigation systems with renewable energy. This is in addition to providing energy for 20 educational and health facilities and supplying 133 homes with renewable energy. Under the project, drinking water will be provided to Yemen’s governorates of Hadhramaut, Abyan and Lahij, Taiz, and Al Hodeidah, benefiting more than 62,000 people. The project also includes a training course for field engineers on solar systems operating water wells and capacity building for field technicians. The SDRPY has so far implemented 224 development projects and initiatives across Yemen covering the seven major sectors of education, health, water, energy, transport, agriculture, fisheries and capacity building for government institutions. — SPA