Riyadh: As an extension of the Kingdom's continued support for the brotherly Yemeni people, and under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and with the follow-up and attention of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) announced the launch of a new package of development projects and initiatives across various Yemeni governorates, in addition to a new grant of petroleum derivatives to operate power plants in all Yemeni governorates.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the announced support includes 28 development projects and initiatives valued at SAR1.9 billion across several key and vital sectors, including energy, education, and transport. The projects aim to enhance security, stability, and growth for the brotherly Yemeni people, and to improve the level of basic services in the governorates of Aden, Hadramout, Al-Mahrah, Socotra, Marib, Shabwah, Abyan, Al-Dhale'e, Lahij, and Taiz, in coordination with the Yemeni government and local authorities. This is in addition to 27 vital development projects and initiatives currently under implementation and scheduled for delivery during 2026-2027, bringing the total to 240 completed projects and initiatives delivered by the program since its establishment in 2018.
Aden will benefit from a number of qualitative development projects and initiatives, including the continued operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital for the next three years to enhance the capacity of the health sector and medical services; the establishment of the first desalination plant of its kind in Yemen to address the shortage of fresh water, reduce the depletion of water resources, and contribute to achieving water security; as well as the commencement of the second and third phases of the Aden Airport Rehabilitation project. These phases include the reconstruction of the runway and the provision of navigation and communications systems, contributing to the advancement of air transport services, strengthening economic and social links, improving service quality for travelers, and enabling international and local air carriers to operate flights to and from Aden International Airport. The projects also include the government headquarters and presidential complex project to support Yemen's devel opment path and enable Yemeni government institutions to perform their roles, in addition to the construction, expansion, and upgrading of the coastal road to improve mobility within the governorate.
In Hadramout, the projects include the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Al-Abr-Seiyun Road, the construction of Hadramout University Hospital to enhance access to healthcare services and meet medical needs in the governorate, support for Hadramout and Seiyun universities through the establishment of two colleges of computer science and information technology to support higher education.
In Al-Mahrah, the SDRPY is commencing the three-year operation of the King Salman Medical and Educational City, following the completion of all construction and equipping phases. This initiative aims to bolster the capacities of Yemen's healthcare sector and improve the quality of medical services provided to the Yemeni people. Furthermore, projects in Al-Mahrah include the establishment of the College of Applied and Health Sciences within the King Salman Medical and Educational City.
In Socotra, the program's projects include the construction of a Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Mosque, the operation of Socotra Hospital to ensure the continuity of medical services, and the establishment of a technical institute and a college of education to enhance educational outcomes. Additional educational initiatives include the construction and equipping of several model schools.
In Abyan Governorate, SDRPY will implement projects and initiatives that include the construction and equipping of Sabah Hospital to improve access to healthcare services, as well as the construction and equipping of model schools. In Shabwa, the program will operate Shabwa Hospital and expand access to education through the establishment of model schools, in addition to supporting the agricultural sector through a program to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
In Taiz, the program will establish Al-Ain Rural Hospital with full equipment and will boost electricity capacity through the construction of a 30-megawatt power plant. It will also operate Al-Mokha Hospital to ensure the continued provision of medical services. In Marib, the program will begin implementing the final phase of Al-Abr (Ghuwayrban-Al-Mukhtam) Highway expansion and rehabilitation project, following the completion of the first two phases totaling 90 kilometers. This will enhance safe transportation and support commercial and economic activity.
In addition, a fully equipped girls' educational complex will be established. In Al-Dhale'e, the program will establish Al-Dhale'e Rural Hospital and model schools, along with training programs to improve teacher skills. Projects in Lahij Governorate include the establishment of a maternal and child health center and a maternity emergency center in Ras Al-Ara.
The program's broader development support also includes the construction and equipping of 30 schools in Hadramout, Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Al-Dhale'e, Shabwa, and Socotra, at a rate of 10 schools annually, expanding access to education and improving overall educational efficiency.
The fuel derivatives grant will have a positive impact on the operation of power plants and the reliability of electricity supply to hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports, ports, and various public and private facilities, as well as on industrial activity and trade across the governorates.