Massive Saudi Environmental Campaign to Clear Wastes in Aden

Arab World

May 7th, 3:00am

Aden – Asharq Al-Awsat

Part of the Saudi cleaning campaign in Aden. AAWSAT AR

In its first month, the 'Beautiful Aden' Cleaning and Environmental Sanitation Campaign of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) removed 222% of the total waste expected to be cleared in the project's first phase, for 120,155 direct and 341,744 indirect beneficiaries of the province, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The campaign has exceeded the target of 9,000 m3, removing 21,755 m3 of waste and accumulated garbage from streets and residential areas, conducting drainage operations, and irrigating trees with approximately 1,773 m3 of water. Following the most recent torrential rains which caused severe damage to Aden, the campaign went beyond all planned goals and stepped up activities through tree irrigation, urgent contribution to floodwater removal, and help for Aden's residents. Labor productivity in the campaign has increased on average by 122% through work in 124 blocks at 82 job sites, and average working hours for the program's equipment and machines has equaled roughly 9 hours per day, with distance traveled exceeding 30,000 km to and from 476 work points. 45 work teams from the Cleaning and Improvement Fund of Aden (CIFA) and civil society organizations have participated. According to the statement, the program has provided Aden with 22 pieces of heavy machinery and 220 garbage containers, giving full support to CIFA, the responsible provincial authority for environmental sanitation. The program's equipment and machinery have removed and disposed of waste from main roads and residential areas long neglected and infested due to the spread of disease, The campaign has increased CIFA's capacity and efficiency by 77%. SDRPY devised an emergency plan to repair damage from torrential rains that occurred during the campaign, coordinating with participants to unblock drains and remove high volumes of floodwater that had closed several main roads. The emergency operation removed 4,316 m3 of rocks and waste and cleared 1,173 m3 of water from main roads and neighborhoods in 5 days at an average of 12 continuous working hours a day. 'Beautiful Aden' has raised community awareness and prompted behavioral change, encouraging residents to stop littering and randomly disposing of waste. The 'Beautiful Aden' Campaign is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continuous support to the people of the Republic of Yemen in all Yemeni provinces, and fulfillment of the plan of SDRPY, which aims to extend economic and development support in all fields, contribute to improved infrastructure and basic services, and create job opportunities for all Yemenis. SDRPY works to meet basic needs and achieve results that directly benefit the citizen.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2271681/massive-saudi-environmental-campaign-clear-wastes-aden