The Consolidation of Efforts Illuminates Ma'alla. The Ma'alla Directorate in Aden Governorate, especially its back streets inhabited by many vulnerable, marginalized, and impoverished groups, had been shrouded in darkness for years, halting nocturnal activities. Women didn't feel safe returning home from work at night, and the elderly couldn't go to the mosque for the dawn prayer. Incidents of falls, involving various age groups including pregnant women, escalated due to the darkness engulfing these areas after sunset. This situation was drastically transformed by the intervention of the Peace and Development Coalition - PDC, comprising 11 local civil society organizations operating in various sectors to serve the community.
In partnership with Saferworld and in collaboration with the local authority in the directorate, Peace and Development Coalition -PDC executed a massive project to provide 397 solar-powered streetlights for the backstreets, covering 80% of the directorate's street lighting needs. This project wasn't merely about installing lighting poles; it was an investment in building a safe community. Due to the intervention's significance and success, " Afaq Shababia Foundation - ASF," one of the organizations within the coalition, was encouraged to continue the intervention, covering the remaining 90% of the need for backstreet lighting with approximately 100 solar-powered streetlights.
It can be said that unifying efforts, effective coordination and communication, along with completing priority-based interventions responding to crucial community needs, constitute a real success story that enhances trust in relationships among civil society organizations, authorities, and local communities, leading to positive outcomes and tangible impacts on community peace.
The key to the success of the intervention of the Coalition and the subsequent work by Afaq Shababia Foundation - ASF was community partnership, a sense of responsibility towards our societies, and working with a team spirit to enhance social cohesion and achieve security and safety for all community members.