On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Yemen's Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mohammed Jumaih, announced that the organization has approved emergency funding to address the damages to some historic buildings in the city of Zabeed caused by heavy rains in recent months.

In a post on his "X" account, monitored by "Barran Press," Jumaih stated that the approval from UNESCO's Emergency Fund was based on a request from Yemen's Permanent Delegation to the UN agency.

He indicated that UNESCO has allocated urgent support to tackle the damages from the heavy rainfall that led to the collapse of some historic buildings in Zabeed, which is listed as a World Heritage site.

According to Jumaih, the emergency fund has allocated $98,000 for immediate intervention in Zabeed.

He mentioned receiving a letter from Ernesto Ottone, Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO, stating that the UNESCO regional office in Doha will implement the project. Jumaih expressed gratitude to the UNESCO Culture Sector and the World Heritage Centre team for this initiative.

"We hope to continue rapid response efforts to address the damages caused by climate change in Zabeed and other heritage sites across the country," Jumaih said.

Earlier this year, the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Sana’a reported significant damage to important archaeological sites due to heavy rains across Yemen.

The authority noted that the upper part of the northern facade of the historic Zabeed Fortress collapsed, and parts of the roofs of the western barracks, which house the Museum of Popular Heritage, also fell.

Additionally, one of the northern towers of the historic wall of the city of Thula was damaged, posing a threat to the heritage of these two ancient cities.

The authority called on local authorities in the Houthi-controlled governorates of Al-Hudaydah and Amran to cooperate seriously and promptly with the Antiquities Authority to provide the necessary financial support to repair the damages to these archaeological sites, preserving national heritage.

Zabeed Fortress, located in Al-Hudaydah Governorate, is the largest archaeological fortress in the region. It comprises several buildings and integrated facilities, including a mosque, a well, storerooms, barracks, stables for horses, and a ruling house.

Archaeological excavations revealed that the current wall of the fortress was built in 1940, while the layers of earth on which the city was built date back to the 9th century AD.

Thula, located northwest of the capital Sana’a in Amran Governorate, is one of Yemen's ancient historical cities, dating back to the Himyarite Kingdom period.

The city is part of UNESCO's World Heritage and is notable for its location atop a majestic mountain surrounded by a famous archaeological fortress. Thula features wide caves, grain silos, beautiful water cisterns, and seven historical gates surrounding the city.