National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Program (NWSSIP).

This Strategy proposes a set of institutional, financial and other measures, which are aimed at addressing discrepancies in five identified sub-sectors (water resources, urban water supply and sanitation, rural water supply and sanitation, irrigation and watershed management and environmental aspects of water) in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders in the resources.
The Strategy is divided into five Parts: Strategic Challenges Facing the Water Sector in Yemen (1); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches (2); Investment Program (3); Implementation and Action Plan (4); Recommendations of the Launching Workshop of NWSSIP (5). These five Parts are divided into 12 Chapters: Strategic Water Sector Issues (1); Previous Efforts in Defining Sector Objectives and Progress Made in Reforms (2); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Sector Management and Coordination (3); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Water Resources Management (4); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Urban Water Supply and Sanitation (5); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (6); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Irrigation and Watershed Management (7); Proposed Objectives, Policies and Approaches in Human and Environmental Aspects (8); Investment Program for (2005-2009) (9); Guidelines Adopted in Defining NWSSIP (10); Implementing NWSSIP (11); Action Plans (12). The Strategy is completed by various Annexes.
The NWSSIP focuses on the importance of concentrating efforts on water demand management to rationalize water use. It recognizes water security as a key component of the national security sets out resource management, social and economic an institutional guiding principles for Yemen’s water policy. Proposed objectives, policies and approaches are set out for sector management and coordination, and for the five sub-sectors. The NWSSIP includes an action plan for the priorities in each of the five sub-sectors.
One objectives of sector management is to gain control over groundwater abstraction. The current incentive structure (particularly lack of limitations on extraction quantities, and the incentive of subsidized diesel) promotes rather than discourages groundwater overdraft. The problem will have to be dealt with a comprehensive package of measures including trade and agricultural policy measures, (self-) regulatory measures and clear assignment of water use rights (linking them to specific uses). The legislative framework for the water sector is already in place, with the Water Law of 2002, and considerable progress has been made in consolidating water management functions and building implementation capacity. Capacities to regulate water use need to be further strengthened. Collaboration with stakeholders, the government would help put in place a system of water rights, and enforce contracts involving voluntary transfers of such rights between consenting parties. Moreover, the MWE would enforce the water law, particularly the provisions relating to licensing and registration of wells and drilling rigs, and will endeavour to build control regimes for the protection of water stressed-catchments. Water supply measures include desalinisation. Expanding rural water supply and sanitation coverage is a national priority. A demand responsive approach shall target water users and ensure that gender is mainstreamed. Early participation of beneficiaries is a major thrust of this approach. Participatory approaches are being followed, especially in irrigation through water user associations (WUAs). Securing farmers’ water rights and increasing farmer incomes through increasing the efficiency of water use in irrigation are pillars of rural water resources management. The NWSSIP sets out other measures affecting agriculture. On watershed management, the Ministry of Water and Environment proposes a holistic approach to resource management integrating rainfall and run-off management, rangeland, forestry, recharge and dams. The NWSSIP has been designed to include all investments made in the water sector. One objective is to increase the synergy between public and private investment, and ultimately to reduce the proportion of public resources invested.