Dutch Embassy Gives a Hand to Bani Suwaid Residents [Archives:2000/32/Last Page]

Tawfeek Al-Shara’abi
Yemen Times
Bani Suwaid area consists of a collection of small villages where 11,000 people are living. There are about 37 of them forming part of Dhawran district, Dhamar Governorate. The area is situated between Al-Haimah, Sana’a governorate and Aness, Dhawran district and Wadi Seham. It is considered to be a very remote area. The area is 62km away from the district centre. It is a very beautiful area with natural springs and hot water. The residents’ main activities are agriculture and grazing. However, in this area has always been lacking public services. For around 30 years the area has been deprived of schools, water or electricity projects. No sign of a civilized life can be seen in the area.
Taking the initiative, the Embassy of Netherlands was the first to respond positively to pleas for help issued by these people who for over 30 years have been neglected by authorities concerned. The Embassy is planning to establish a-three-class school, medical unit and a water project. The agreement is signed at the headquarters of the Netherlands Embassy and in the presence of Ambassador Martin de la Bey, Dr. Nasser Al-Sanabani, health office manager in Dhamar, Dr. Sanna, consultant of reproductive health in Dhamar, Embassy of Netherlands, sheikh of Bani Suwaid, Hatem Mohammed Ka’ed Omar, and Mr. Mohammed Saleh Ali Jahzar, chairman of the Bani Suwaid Society. A society has also been established called “Bani Suwaid Society” so as to receive any financial assistance from any interested people or organizations.

Dr. Nasser Al-Sanabani talked about how they came to know about the area and said “We came to know about this remote area almost by accident. When we first saw it we felt as if we have discovered it. We visited the area and found the people living in a very simple and primitive life almost ostracized from the outside world. There are no public, no health, educational and water services.
After that we arranged a visit for Mrs. Yoka from the Netherlands Embassy and Dr. Sanna who has been very influential in making this project a success to help the residents.”
Mohammed Saleh Ali Jahzar, secretary general of the society, said “Our area is deprived of almost every thing since the revolution took place in 1962. All the authorities have been ignoring the area. Even the roads leading to the area are very difficult to drive on and are paved at the expense of people. We do highly appreciate all the valuable assistance and help of the Embassy to establish these projects.
The Embassy has provided us with YR 10,000,000 to establish the project. The people of the area are going to contribute with 5% of the total cost of these projects. We will also help with providing laborers and technicians.”
Dr. Sanna talked about the deprivation of the residents and said “I visited the area and I was amazed to see almost no trace of a civilian life; no schools, no clean water, no health services, almost nothing. Boys and girls work in grazing the whole day. I have been working in Yemen for 13 years. However, in no place could I find such conditions. There is not even a mosque in the area.”Hatem Mohammed Ka’ed Omar, society chairman and the sheikh of the area, said “The area is located between three areas: Bani Matar, Haimah and Aness which resulted in the ignorance of area. We have called upon the authorities concerned to do something to help the people. However, we have been beating a dead horse.
We highly appreciate and count on the services provided by the Netherlands government and its Embassy. I on the behalf of the people express my deep gratitude for all their cooperation and help.”
His Excellency the Ambassador said “Well, the Netherlands Embassy is very glad that we can do something extra for the people of Bani Suwaid. Normally, the Dutch development assistance is often given to official institutions. However, some times we have to do something extra and I think that the people of Bani Suwaid really deserve this support as they are living in an isolation from the surroundings.
This project consists of the construction of a school and a clinic. We are granting what is equal to $70 thousand. We want this project to be established and then we will continue our support through the health office in Dhamar.

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