by Murad Abdo
ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's most essential public services -- electricity, water, transport, and telecommunications -- are buckling after more than a decade of conflict, leaving millions struggling to secure basic needs.
The war, which erupted in late 2014 when the Houthi group seized several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognised government to flee Sanaa, has devastated infrastructure and drained already limited resources. The scale of the damage has pushed nearly 20 million people to rely on aid, while close to 5 million remain displaced, according to the UN migration agency.
The collapse of the economy has deepened the strain. Government figures show output has contracted by almost 50 percent, and poverty has risen to about 80 percent, compounding hardship across the country.
In the south, electricity is among the most visible casualties. Power stations have been bombed, stripped, or abandoned, and transmission lines in front-line areas lie in ruins. In Aden, residents endure 12 to 18 hours of blackout each day, with outages peaking during the summer heat.
"Electricity has become a wish. We hope it comes back, but we never count on it," said resident Haitham Abu Jamal.
With the grid failing, Yemenis have turned to solar panels, now scattered across rooftops in Aden and other major cities. Most households can afford only a small panel and battery to run a few lights and a fan. Larger systems remain out of reach for the majority in an economy where incomes have collapsed.
Seeking to revive the sector, the government held its first energy conference in Aden last week, appealing for investment and outside support. But after years of stalled reforms, many residents doubt it will deliver results.
Water access has grown equally precarious. In Aden and nearby southern provinces, water flows through pipes only in brief, unpredictable windows -- often after midnight.
"We stay awake because the water comes only after midnight, and missing that moment means no water at all," said Salah Ahmed, standing beside empty plastic jugs.
Transport, too, has been reshaped by the war. Major highways linking Yemen's cities are closed or sit near front lines, forcing travellers onto long, rugged detours. The routes are slow, dangerous, and dotted with armed checkpoints.
"Every checkpoint feels like a gamble or a test of nerves," said Mushtag Ali, a driver who frequently travels between southern and northern provinces.
The risks were underscored last month when a passenger coach collided with a minibus on the steep Arqoub pass in Abyan province, killing 34 people.
Within Aden, congestion has become a daily ordeal. Roads built decades ago for a much smaller population cannot absorb today's traffic volumes.
"You take your car out and immediately find yourself trapped," said resident Ahmed Badwai. "With no bridges or wider roads, the whole city just chokes."
Yemen's telecommunications sector has also suffered. Damaged infrastructure, rising costs, and limited investment have left residents paying more for weaker service.
In Aden and the surrounding areas, the price of 4G SIM cards and mobile data packages has surged. AdenNet SIM cards, sold legally for about 60,000 riyals (around 37 U.S. dollars), can fetch as much as 260 dollars on the black market, where shortages have fuelled sharp price increases.
"We pay more each month, yet the service only gets weaker," said Aden resident Emad Salmy. "Even uploading a tiny 2 megabyte file takes minutes." ■
