WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: A Nation Threatened and a Community Committed

And now from the high seas to the coffee-rich mountains, Yemen’s natural beauty is also straining in the face of climate change and lacking resources.

But there is hope.

Let us take you on a journey and meet Yemen’s own #GenerationRestoration – citizens from across the country committed to ensuring its beauty is preserved for future generations.

How can you follow in their footsteps? They have some advice for you!

PRESERVING NATURE

PLACES: SOCOTRA

The “Dragon’s Blood Tree” – an icon of Socotra’s eccentricities – appears resilient against the rocky island landscape. Existing nowhere else on the planet, each tree can take hundreds of years to mature.

But as an increasing number of cyclones, floods, and rapid weather events hit the island, the trees are being uprooted and animals and plant life are being washed away.

The effects of the changing climate are becoming more devastating and, without intervention, we risk the loss of our beautiful natural world. 

In Socotra, UNDP is supporting the construction of floodwalls to protect communities, animals, and plants from the threat of rising river tides.

PEOPLE: AMINA, ECO-ENTREPRENEUR

“Unfortunately, Yemenis don’t have enough awareness of the importance of the environment; it has always been a secondary issue. I would love to see young people working on initiatives to raise awareness of the importance in preserving the environment so for generations to come, so we will all be able to live in a clean, comfortable place.”

“I try to reduce the amount of single-use plastic water bottles thrown away by integrating them with cement to produce bricks. In this way we are not only getting rid of plastic in an eco-friendly way but also reducing the amount of used cement we use, which is also considered an ecologically harmful substance."

PLACES: FARMLAND

Yemen was once entirely dependent on its own agriculture for food. Today, urbanization, water scarcity, and poor agricultural practices threaten to permanently destroy rich soils and fertile lands.

The traditional agricultural terraces are being abandoned and the country – one of the world’s driest – is facing increased water scarcity from the coast to the mountains because of inappropriate irrigation methods.

To reverse the damage and re-establish traditional crops like coffee, sorghum, vegetables and fruits, UNDP works with farmers to improve their skills and provide critical equipment that will save operational costs and increase crop production.

PEOPLE: OMER, ECO-ENTREPRENEUR

“As a young environmentalist and social entrepreneur, I work to keep my country clean through innovation. I help people and communities to consume sustainably by using their own resources like converting bio-waste to clean sustainable energy and bio fertilizer for farms.”

“Everyone can contribute to a safe, clean Yemen by starting at home: reducing waste, separating organic waste, and reusing it for biogas production and fertilizer.”

“They can also help the environment by using renewable energy like solar systems in their homes. Young people can participate in awareness initiatives and innovate for a clean and sustainable future.”

PLACES: THE SEA

Unpredictable tides, unexpected storms, and heavy rains make the once predictable task of locating tuna much harder. To fishermen, the changing nature of the sea can have life altering consequences. Now forced to travel farther out to sea to catch their prized tuna, they require bigger boats and better engines or else they risk their safety and lives.

UNDP is supporting fisherman through skills training and by providing new equipment that can help them go the distance.

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CLEAN AND SAFE COMMUNITIES

PEOPLE: NAJWEEN, ORGANISATIONS COORDINATOR FROM THE LOCAL CORPORATION FOR WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION (LCWSS) IN ADEN

“I educate Yemenis about the importance of hygiene and security. This helps avoid spreading diseases and reduces its likelihood in urban and rural communities.”

“Every Yemeni should realize the importance of safety and cleanliness. We must all educate others to have a sense of responsibility – whether in the neighborhood, at work, or in the family home. With these simple steps, we will make the country safe and clean.”

PLACES: THE STREETS

A lack of local waste management has led to increasing urban pollution in Yemen; the most common of which is plastic waste. Without the know-how or access to properly dispose of household waste, Yemen’s streets have begun to fill with solid and liquid waste.

In Yemen, support for local cleaning funds has built capacity for waste collection. In Mukalla and Aden, staff have been trained and critical equipment and trucks have been provided.

KHALID, GARBAGE TRUCK DRIVER FROM MUKALLA

“I drive daily to the waste collection sites on my route, and with the help of my team of cleaners, I load waste into the truck until it is full. Then I drive to the landfill to dump my truck load.”

“The new waste collection trucks reduce the work we used to do. The truck is now filled by the garbage containers emptying directly into it, instead of loading the waste into the truck manually.”

“Unfortunately, many people still throw garbage in places other than the designated bins or they throw garbage outside the containers. By taking the garbage out every day and placing it in the specified bins, people will help facilitate the cleaning work we do. Together we can achieve the level of cleanliness we hope for our city and our country.”

PLACES: PUBLIC PARKS & GARDENS

As a result of the collapsing economy, public spending for parks and gardens has disappeared and people began chopping down local trees for firewood, leaving the cityscape baren.

Fewer trees have also led to an increase in air pollution, posing the risk of increased respiratory illness.  

Across Yemen, UNDP supports communities to rebuild cleaner and healthier. Through cash-for-work, local parks and gardens are being cleaned and trees are being planted, establishing a space for future generations of Yemenis to enjoy and relax in nature!

PEOPLE: ALI, A CLEANER WITH THE DISTRICT CLEANING FUND (DCF) IN HODEIDAH

"I contribute to making Yemen clean by educating individuals on how to dispose of waste in designated places, and to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene and of supporting cleaners.”

“In addition, I educate housewives about the importance of cleanliness – first inside the home and then on the streets."

PEOPLE: SHERIHAN, AN AWARENESS TEAM MEMBER WITH THE DISTRICT CLEANING FUND (DCF)

“I work to help correct behaviors through raising community awareness. I also help transport waste to reduce the burden on cleaners. We aspire to have beautiful views."

PEOPLE: MOHAMMED, A CLEANER WITH THE DISTRICT CLEANING FUND (DCF) IN HODEIDAH

"One key thing is to train hygiene teams and volunteers on how to sort organic waste from liquid or plastic so that we can reduce waste and sell recyclable items. In order to preserve the environment, bins and cleaners must be available."

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Learn more at ye.undp.org or follow at @UNDPYemen.