Ma’rib – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) celebrated the finalization of works on the electrical power grid in Al Jufainah displacement site in Ma’rib governorate yesterday.

The new electrical network meets the urgent need for power in overcrowded displacement sites like Al Jufainah – Yemen's largest displacement site where 9,000 families, more than 54,000 inhabitants, currently reside.

“Electricity is a vital part of life for displaced communities. This project that IOM is bringing to light today helps thousands of families,” said Dr. Abd Rabbu Miftah, Deputy Governor of Ma’rib

“IOM has been with us since people began to be displaced to Ma’rib, providing electricity, health, education and other projects which ease the hardship of the displaced.”

An increasing population has put pressure on basic services in Al Jufainah. Over the last few years, the old electrical network in the site could no longer meet the increasing demand.

“When we began to offer services in Al Jufainah in 2019, one of the main issues raised by leaders in the site was limited electricity,” said Tewodros Woldegiorgis, IOM Technical Officer who leads the project in Ma’rib.

“We used to suffer from unstable and unsafe electrical lines which caused many accidents and deaths among women and children,” added Naser Alamiri, a community leader in Al Jufainah.

The electricity upgrades have given displaced families some sense of normality, safety, and stability.  Next, IOM will work to improve the electricity in each resident’s shelter.

“We came more than two years ago with a team committed to assist the government to improve the quality of life of many Yemenis affected by conflict in this governorate,” said Anders Haugland, IOM Head of Office in Ma’rib.

Across the governorate, IOM is implementing more than 30 community infrastructure projects which aim to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations and improve the overall living conditions in areas where displaced people live.

Through support of the Executive Unit, Deputy Governorate Office and the Ministry of Public Electricity, the site has now improved its power capacity from 1.2 Mega Watts to 4.5 Mega Watts. In addition, all the main networks were changed and 15 transformers were installed.

This electricity project is supported by donors such as the United States Government, European Union (EU) Humanitarian Aid and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).

Read more about the impact of this project.

For more information, please contact:

• In English: Angela Wells at IOM Yemen, Email: awells@iom.int, Tel: +967 730 552233
• In Arabic : Elham Al-Oqabi at IOM Yemen, Email: ealoqabi@iom.int, Tel: +967 739888390
• IOM Yemen’s Communications Team at  iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int