In brief
The fourth phase of the ‘Food to Resilience’ initiative, launched in Al‑Masilah District on November 1, 2026, will upgrade a fish landing center, revamp irrigation canals, rehabilitate wells, and install solar‑powered irrigation systems, while training farmers in climate‑smart practices. The project partners—World Food Programme and the Benevolence Coalition—aim to strengthen food security for vulnerable families and improve livelihoods for over 600 fishermen. Local officials praised the partnership, noting the positive impact of earlier phases.
On Friday, November 1, 2026, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) convened a workshop in Al‑Masilah District, Al‑Mahra Governorate, Yemen, to unveil the fourth phase of its Food to Resilience (FuTuRe) project. The event, held in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief, marked a significant expansion of the program’s reach, bringing new infrastructure and training into the region’s fisheries, irrigation and agricultural sectors.
Central to the phase is the rehabilitation and upgrade of the fish landing center in the town of Rakhut. The upgraded facility, which will also host an ice production unit, is expected to enhance the livelihoods of more than 600 fishermen by improving the storage and post‑harvest processing of their catch.
The project also targets irrigation improvements. Approximately 3,000 meters of irrigation canals will be restored to increase water‑delivery efficiency, and 10 hectares of farmland will be reclaimed through dredging and channel repair. In addition, two existing wells will be rehabilitated, ensuring a reliable source of potable and irrigation water for local households and farms.
To make irrigation more sustainable, five solar‑powered irrigation systems will be installed, serving a total of 28 hectares of farmland. These systems will reduce dependence on diesel pumps, cutting fuel costs and greenhouse‑gas emissions while providing a reliable power source for irrigation during critical crop periods.
Complementing these physical upgrades, KSrelief will provide training for farmers in climate‑smart agricultural practices. The training aims to equip farmers with techniques and knowledge to manage crops under changing climatic conditions, enhance soil health, and increase crop resilience to extreme weather events.
The objective of the fourth phase is to strengthen food security for vulnerable families by developing productive assets in agriculture, fisheries, and water, and providing conditional cash assistance, according to the SPA’s announcement. The combined effort aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian and relief agenda, delivered through KSrelief in cooperation with various UN agencies.
Director‑General of Al‑Masilah District Fadl Al‑Duhaimi attended the workshop, alongside officials from the implementing entities and the KSrelief team. He praised the partnership between KSrelief and WFP for bolstering the district’s agricultural and fisheries sectors, noting that previous phases had made a positive impact on the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers.
During the event, the district’s director‑general, accompanied by related officials and the KSrelief team, visited the project sites in the presence of representatives from the local agricultural and fisheries associations. The visit highlighted the collaborative nature of the program and the local community’s involvement in its implementation.
The FuTuRe initiative has evolved through multiple phases, each building upon the lessons of its predecessors. The current expansion demonstrates how humanitarian efforts can integrate renewable energy, infrastructure rehabilitation, and capacity building to create sustainable pathways toward food resilience in conflict‑impacted regions.
By combining immediate infrastructure upgrades with long‑term skill development, the project represents a holistic approach to food security that aligns with the goals of the global environmental community. The use of solar power and climate‑smart practices reduces environmental impact while enhancing the livelihoods of local populations, embodying the principles of sustainable development.
