CLTS was first introduced to Yemen in June 2007 with a CLTS training conducted by Dr. Kamal Kar. Since then, the Social Fund for Development (SFD) has taken the lead in spreading CLTS in the country.

So far, 1,292 communities have been triggered (half of them are still under follow up) and 197 communities have been declared ODF. The condition for a community becoming ODF is that every house has a toilet. However, communities may achieve ODF without fulfilling this condition - they can share toilets, or bury their faeces immediately after triggering. Therefore, it is expected that the actual number of ODF communities is higher. In addition, it needs to be taken into account that the post impact data collection is taken after 3 months of follow up while some of the communities are still working on improving their sanitation situation. Twenty-seven training courses have been conducted and 678 individuals (375 male and 303 female) have been trained in CLTS. SFD has 9 regional branch offices and every branch has a CLTS project officer ( except Mukalla branch which currently in the process of recruiting for this post).

According to SFD’s field baseline data, rural sanitation coverage in Yemen is around 20%, which means that around 80% either practice open defecation or dispose their wastewater to the open. Considering the fact 75% of the population is rural, the need to tackle rural sanitation is huge and calls for other partners to share the work in this sector. Accordingly, SFD invited other partners’ staff including governmental authorities, NGOs and international agencies for training. SFD has also trained some of the French Red Cross, and OXFAM staff on CLTS. OXFAM is currently asking for the second training course for their staff in Haradh (Hajjah govenorate).

Three workshops have been conducted for exchanging experience among CLTS project officers, consultants, and natural leaders. At these events, every branch presented its achievements, experiences and stories. Selected Natural Leaders from ODF communities, and from communities that failed to achieve ODF were invited to discuss the factors that led to success or failure.