Life is a constant struggle for Saudis living in isolated Jazan mountains

It is hard to believe but there are still Saudis living in almost complete isolation in the mountains near the Al-Sahaleel Valley, just five hours by road from Jazan.
To survive, they draw water from streams, pick fruit from trees, collect honey, and use the produce from their sheep and goats. On occasion, they would receive canned food from philanthropists.
While many say they are satisfied with their lives, they face serious challenges including lack of identity cards, which would give them access to medical care.
Zara Al-Sahluli, an elderly citizen, said she is in good health but worries about her friends Saeedah, Sharah and Sharifah who are sick, but it is “next to impossible to get medical help for them because their identity cards are still being processed at an office in Sabya.”
Their only other options are to buy medicine from a pharmacist without consulting a doctor or use herbal remedies. Sharifah, who has intense joint pain, spends most of her time with her goats. She cannot walk to her friends.
Meanwhile, 500 citizens living in the lush and beautiful Helwa Al-Sauda area on the other side of the mountain, all have identity cards. However, they live in such an isolated location that they are constantly in danger of either being trapped in their homes or cut off from them during heavy rain.
Their major worry is a valley, which they have to cross to collect fruit or firewood from the forest. When there are floods, they can be cut off for days from their homes. It is a frustrating experience because they can see and communicate with their families on the opposite side by shouting and signs.
In addition, they cannot venture far into the forest because of wolves and other wild animals in the area. Having a child is also a nightmare for pregnant residents because the nearest hospital is more than three hours away.
Worse still, if it is raining the road to the nearest town is flooded. The inevitable result is that either the mother or the baby dies, often both. They mostly depend on herbal or traditional medicine because of the difficulties in getting to a hospital.
Education is provided in the village. Several women teachers run a school under the auspices of the Asir education authorities. It takes four hours from Al-Raith and 150 km from Jazan to reach this place.
Ali Al-Shaabi, supervisor at the National Human Rights Society in Asir, said there are several locations in Jazan, Tihama Asir and Qahtan with few basic facilities. “The NHRS takes action whenever it gets information about such places and submits reports to the concerned government departments.”
Al-Shaabi said that a major problem with these citizens is that they are not ready to move closer to urban centers where there are better services available.