Before the conflict, only around two thirds of Yemenis had access to public electricity grid (with around 12% who had access to private electricity networks), which was already one the lowest access rates across the MENA region. In 2017, two years after the onset of the war, this number had dropped to below 10%.
One solution presented itself to solve the energy crisis in Yemen: harnessing the abundant supply of sunlight. The World BankYemen Emergency Electricity Access Projectbegan installing solar systems in hard-to-reach areas, in particular in schools and health facilities. The World Bank''s International Development Agency, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), is working with local providers with the objective to support hundreds of health facilities across Yemen.
As a result, millions of Yemenis will have access to reliable health facilities powered by solar energy, especially in rural areas. Clinics will be able to maintain the cold-chain necessary for immunization to help with access to essential vaccines, as well as other medicine and basic health services.
Poor and vulnerable women in remote areas are generally the least likely to receive adequate health care in Yemen, in particular for pregnancies. But the Yemen Emergency Electricity Access Project also helps ensure that health care workers can reach them.
Health workers in the Al-Salam hospital reported that they no longer see electricity as an issue. They are enthusiastic to see the women in their community being able to deliver their babies in much safer conditions.
Aminah Hassan, one of the women who directly benefitted from the World Bank''s solar project, explains what having a local clinic equipped with solar power means to her family: "I used to give my children homemade herbal recipes as medicine when they got sick because the health center in our village had to close years ago.We could not afford to take them to a private hospital. But now that the clinic is working again, I can go there whenever I need without having to travel a long distance to get the health servicesme and my family need."
The World Bank and the Yemen Emergency Electricity Access Project is also installing solar energy systems in schools and other public facilities to provide reliable and affordable access to clean water, lighting, and other primary services in the communities affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This solar power project aims at increasing resilience in rural areas, where around 70% of Yemen''s population lives and where electricity remains a major part of the current development crisis.
The current crisis in Yemen has placed enormous pressure on the country''s population. Four out of five people in the country need humanitarian assistance. Over 1 million people have been infected by cholera. More than 350,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Over 2 million people have been internally displaced due to the fighting. Simply put, life has become very difficult for millions of Yemenis.
"People of Yemen need our support during this difficult time. Recovery of basic services beyond emergency response is a key element of World Bank engagement in Yemen," says Raja Bentaouet Kattan, World Bank Group Country Manager for Yemen.
"Around 4,000 Yemenis benefit from Al-Jamhori hospital services every day. The lack of reliable electricity is a major challenge that impacts our operations," said Dr. Nasr al-Qudsi, Director of Al-Jamhori hospital in Sana''a, "the Bank-supported solar solution to provide a steady supply of electricity will expand the capacity of the hospital and ensure we can provide the services so many Yemenis rely on."
In response, the World Bank and UNOPS worked together to install solar panels on the roof of the hospital and changed six thousand indoor light bulbs to more energy efficient LED lamps. In addition, five solar powered water heaters were installed to reduce the reliance on diesel-fueled generators. The team also sought to improve the security situation around the hospital by installing better street and outdoor lighting. This intervention would help reduce hospital''s reliance on diesel based electricity generators.
"The project is bringing multiple sectors together to provide an integrated solution. In addition to electricity, the project is also supporting restoring water services in the area and rehabilitating any damaged access roads," Tahir Akbar, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Task Team Leader of the project.
To implement the project, the World Bank and UNOPS ensured close coordination with other development partners. In particular, WHO and UNICEF are helping to identify critical health facilities needing renewable energy solutions. The project is complementing WBG financed Emergency Health and Nutrition Project that is supporting Yemen''s health sector.
The biggest reward for the joint effort is that it allows the hospital to function day and night, and help doctors and nurses to effectively do their jobs– saving lives.
A 70-kilowatt solar energy system was installed at 22nd May Hospital to ensure uninterrupted services for its Intensive Care Units, Emergency Obstetrics, Dialysis Unit, and COVID-19 Isolation Center. | Photo credit: UNDP Yemen
There are long queues at fuel stations. Fuel prices have skyrocketed. The rising cost of water, transport and essential goods endure. And COVID-19 continues to spread unabated throughout Yemen.
Since June, the conflict-effected communities of Yemen''s northern governorates have struggled under the crippling effects of the oil crisis. Depleted oil reserves have resulted in the limited operation and delivery of key public services – including healthcare. Coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, this highlights a critical need for alternative fuel sources to ensure healthcare facilities can continue to operate.
"Most of the medical machines dependent on electricity are life-saving. Their interruption for just a few minutes may mean the loss of someone''s life," explains Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Jarmouzi, a health officer working with UNDP''s implementing partner, the Social Fund for Development (SFD).
With major health facilities now struggling to maintain their operations amid dwindling fuel and power supplies, healthcare services are being reduced, rescheduled, or stopped. So how can we fight COVID-19, meet the power demand, and boost the resilience of healthcare facilities?
In addition to the rehabilitation work, SPCRP''s integrated support for the installation of solar energy systems includes solar PV panels, new electrical networks, batteries, control units, external lighting, and replacement of existing electrical fixtures to ensure their compatibility with the provided systems. Systems range from 1.5 to 70-kilowatts according to the facilities'' power load and needs, with one of the largest facilities – the 22nd May Hospital in Sana''a governorate – receiving a 70-kilowatt system to support its operation.
SPCRP is also working to ensure the protection of frontline healthcare workers by providing much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) in nine COVID-19 isolation centers. This includes 1,200 packages containing a total of 18,000 masks, 18,000 pairs of gloves and 3,600 bottles of sanitizer.
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