Adapting to water scarcity for Yemen's vulnerability communities: The case studies of Sana’a, Sadah and Aden

1. 11
Adapting to water scarcity forAdapting to water scarcity for
Yemen's vulnerabilityYemen's vulnerability
communities:communities:
The case studies of SanaThe case studies of Sana’’a,a, SadahSadah
and Adenand Aden
AbdullaAbdulla NoamanNoaman
Water Environmental CenterWater Environmental Center
SanaSana’’a University, Yemena University, Yemen

2. 22
BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND
This research is funded through (NCAP)This research is funded through (NCAP)
Administered through ETC InternationalAdministered through ETC International
Executing Agency is EnvironmentalExecuting Agency is Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) Yemen.Protection Authority (EPA) Yemen.
Case studies under this project conductedCase studies under this project conducted
by WEC in Sanaby WEC in Sana’’a universitya university
International technical backstopping isInternational technical backstopping is
provided by SEIprovided by SEI

3. 33
BackgroundBackground
Water scarcity is the mainWater scarcity is the main
environmental problem inenvironmental problem in
YemenYemen
Varied climate and variableVaried climate and variable
annual rainfall (less thanannual rainfall (less than
50mm to near 600 mm).50mm to near 600 mm).
Groundwater is the mainGroundwater is the main
source for domestic uses &source for domestic uses &
for the growing irrigatedfor the growing irrigated
farming which uses morefarming which uses more
than 90% of the annualthan 90% of the annual
abstraction.abstraction.
This problem is getting worseThis problem is getting worse
due to climate changesdue to climate changes
resulting in less rainfall andresulting in less rainfall and
increase temperatureincrease temperature

4. 44
Concentration of population in Yemen and RainfallConcentration of population in Yemen and Rainfall
distributiondistribution

5. 55
Time change of cultivated areas in different farming system
Time Change of Cultivated Areas in Different
Farming Systems
0
20
40
60
80
100
1975 1983 1990 1995 2000
Year
%
Rain fed Flood’s Spring’s Groundwater

6. 66
ObjectivesObjectives
Evaluation of current and future vulnerability of waterEvaluation of current and future vulnerability of water
resources to climate change,resources to climate change,
Identification of a comprehensive set of adaptationIdentification of a comprehensive set of adaptation
strategies that address water scarcity in vulnerablestrategies that address water scarcity in vulnerable
communities,communities,
Revise the proposed set of adaptation strategies basedRevise the proposed set of adaptation strategies based
on stakeholder consultationson stakeholder consultations
Implement one adaptation measure identified in theImplement one adaptation measure identified in the
analysis at the pilot scale within the case study areaanalysis at the pilot scale within the case study area
Identify a comprehensive set of changes to existingIdentify a comprehensive set of changes to existing
policies and laws to facilitate adaptation to climatepolicies and laws to facilitate adaptation to climate
changechange--induced water scarcityinduced water scarcity

7. 77
Approaches and MethodologyApproaches and Methodology
Data collection from different authorities andData collection from different authorities and
related ministriesrelated ministries
Rapid appraisal for participatory assessmentsRapid appraisal for participatory assessments
among stakeholders.among stakeholders.
WEAP water modeling to evaluate water needsWEAP water modeling to evaluate water needs
and scarcity among all sectors under a range ofand scarcity among all sectors under a range of
potential climate change scenarios.potential climate change scenarios.
Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) to identify a set ofMulti Criteria Analysis (MCA) to identify a set of
adaptation measuresadaptation measures

8. 88
Case studies locationsCase studies locations
Case study 1 (highly urban
area, Sana'a)
Case study 2 (coastal urban
area, Aden)
Case study 3 (rural highland
area, Sadah)
Three case study areas were selected based on:Three case study areas were selected based on:
representing a different ecological zonerepresenting a different ecological zone
Water scarcity problemsWater scarcity problems

9. 99
Case study 1 (Sana'a Basin)

10. 1010
Heritage signification

11. 1111
Urban area expansion in SanaUrban area expansion in Sana’’aa
basinbasin

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Background cont..Background cont..
Results:Results:
rapidly depleting aquifers and more frequent water conflicts duerapidly depleting aquifers and more frequent water conflicts due toto
growing competition for water.growing competition for water.
GW abstraction in Sana'a basin
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Year
Millioncubicmeter
GWL Recharge to the GW GW abstraction

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Rainfall trendRainfall trend
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
rainfall(mm
1932 1940 1944 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1985 1997
years
Sana'a Airport

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The WEAP model of the Sana’a basin…
The schematic view of the Sana’a basin application in WEAP. There are 22 sub basins
represented and 6 aquifer nodes. Each sub basin’s demand nodes link to the appropriate
groundwater node.

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Sub-structure of each sub-basin…

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The headflow/rainfed catchment nodes…

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The irrigated area catchment nodes…

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Simulation of hydrologic processes in the catchments…

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The reference scenarios is not able to create
sustainable use of the all demand sites….

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Scenarios explore 6 different adaptation strategies…

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Replacing Qat with wheat production….

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Qat (Cathula edulis) has become a very large part of the
economy - some estimate as much as 25% of GDP, 16% of
employment and 30% of water use.

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Differences in crop coefficients are the driver of this scenario….
In this scenario, the monthly crop coefficient values for wheat versus
qat are the key variables that drive the difference in water demand

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Yearly water demand for Qat versus wheat in Wadi A Sir….

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Replacing Qat with wheat results in less GW drawdown….

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Any one of the strategies alone is not enough to create
sustainable use of the Central Plains aquifer….

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…..and for all aquifers

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But when the effects of scenarios are added
via ‘inheritance’….

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Adding effects of strategies approaches sustainability
for Central Plains aquifer….

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Possible future climate scenarios also analyzed….
‘OSU Core’ climate scenario is expected climate change: +2 degrees C
And +5% rainfall by 2050
‘UKHI dry’ climate scenario is worst case climate change: +2 degrees C
And -20% rainfall by 2050

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Hydrology model in WEAP explicitly simulates
climate effects on crop water demands….

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Climate has only small effect on groundwater volume….

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Consultations with Farmers andConsultations with Farmers and
Decisions makersDecisions makers
The main aim was to discuss their concerns regarding issues of water
scarcity as well as to assess their willingness to participate and be
committed in implementing the project activities (adapted strategy).

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Consultations with Farmers andConsultations with Farmers and
stakeholders meetingsstakeholders meetings
All Information collected through interview will entered, processed and
analyzed by MCA program in accordance with the objectives specified.

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Meeting with decision makersMeeting with decision makers

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Identify a set of adaptationIdentify a set of adaptation
measures using MCAmeasures using MCA

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proposed location of check dam inproposed location of check dam in WadiWadi
AsserAsser
Implement one adaptationImplement one adaptation
measuremeasure

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AdaptationAdaptation
(Traditional Water Harvesting(Traditional Water Harvesting
Techniques)Techniques)
TerracesTerraces
CisternsCisterns

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Terraces after the rainfall

40. 4040

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Traditional ponds and cisternsTraditional ponds and cisterns

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Traditional CisternsTraditional Cisterns
Source: SFD
greater capacitygreater capacity
upward and easy access,upward and easy access,
Local materialLocal material
sediment trapsediment trap

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Traditional subsurface cisterns in rural
areas
Source: SFD

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Underground reservoir in mountainous
area
Source: SFD

45. 4545

46. 4646

47. 4747

48. 4848

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ConclusionConclusion
Increase knowledge and information onIncrease knowledge and information on
the vulnerability of the water resourcesthe vulnerability of the water resources
The need to emphasize awareness amongThe need to emphasize awareness among
stakeholders and decision makersstakeholders and decision makers
Mainstreaming Climate Change in allMainstreaming Climate Change in all
governmental development plans andgovernmental development plans and
programsprograms
Special program on the issues of ClimateSpecial program on the issues of Climate
Change in various governmental officesChange in various governmental offices

50. 5050
Thanks NCAP,ETC andThanks NCAP,ETC and
SEI staffs for the programSEI staffs for the program
and regular assistancesand regular assistances
AbdullaAbdulla NoamanNoaman
Water and Environment Center (WEC)Water and Environment Center (WEC)
WWW.wec.edu.yeWWW.wec.edu.ye
wec@y.net.yewec@y.net.ye