The Environment, Natural Resources and Poverty Alleviation for the Population of Socotra Island, Yemen project is designed to corroborate the strategy of the GOY, which envisages the environmentally sound and sustainable development of Socotra Archipelago, in view of preserving its global value for Biodiversity Conservation. In July 2001, the team started working on three main objectives concerning the health sector, the water resources management and the delivery of the material acquired. The project is ongoing, and will extend until mid-2003. International staff will complete their tasks in July 2002, after which the local team will continue to manage the project.

Main Objectives and Expected Outputs of the Project

The Project's overall objective is to alleviate poverty among the population of Socotra Island in a sustainable and environmentally effective manner. The project fits within the framework of the wider Socotra Conservation and Development Program, and it is closely integrated with the ongoing UNDP-EPA Socotra Biodiversity Project on the island.

Specifically, the project aims at:

A - Health:

1. Improvement of the health management capacity at district level;
2. Improvement of the health services at district level;
3. Improvement of the health services in rural areas;
4. Set up of a capacity building program for medical staff and community members involved in the delivery of health care.

B - Water:

1. Create a dynamic and geo-referenced thematic cartography as a baseline for the whole island;
2. Set up a meteorological recording system for the whole island;
3. Set up a water table recording system for the Hadibo area;
4. Identify a target area for the design of a pilot water management system;
5. Develop a standard model of water catchment;
6. Strength the district water authorities.

C - Environmental Awareness

1. Develop an integrated extension package Health, Water and Conservation.
2. Train in extension techniques the EPA personnel which is representing the connection between the result of the program and the local community.

Donors

• Government of the Italian Republic through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate General for the Development Cooperation;
• Government of the Republic of Poland, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contacts

Environment, Natural Resources and Poverty Alleviation for the population of Socotra Island Project
Office: Hadibo District Hospital, ph/fax: 967 5 660 480
Franco Terragni - Hydrogeologist
Anan Killinchi - Health Specialist