BBC News
SANAA - Yemen is projected to be the first Arab country that will use up all of its groundwater, but no-one knows exactly when the water table will dry out or fall beyond a viable level for human use.
In a race to shape public opinion, the government has developed a national mascot to encourage water conservation.
Rowyan is an animated raindrop, a cheery cartoon character with moustache and headdress. His wife, Rowyana, has curling eyelashes. She carries a handbag and wears a veil and full-length black robes.
"Rowyan is one of the tools we're using to promote public awareness," says Salim Bashueib, chairman of the National Water Resource Authority - which issues licences for new water wells and uses a satellite tracking system to monitor the movements of drill rigs.
"People won't respect the laws on water use if they don't understand the scale of the problem and the reason for compliance."
Photo by Ginny Hill
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