Saudi Arabia Pledges 224 Million Riyals for Yemen Budget

Mohammed Saeed Al-Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen and supervisor general of the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, announced on Thursday a fresh contribution to the Yemeni state budget. The support package exceeds 224 million Saudi riyals, aimed at reinforcing fiscal stability in the country.

Details of the Financial Grant

In a post on X, Al-Jaber described the initiative as an extension of continuous Kingdom support for the Yemeni people and government. He cited ongoing Houthi militia attacks on national resources and public assets as part of the context for this assistance. The move responds directly to a request from the Yemeni administration.

The grant is delivered through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen. According to Al-Jaber, the funds will ensure regularity in government financial inflows and improve the efficiency of fiscal policy. Additionally, the injection aims to bolster the purchasing power of ordinary citizens in Yemen.

Broader Economic Support Measures

This announcement follows a similar support measure declared by Saudi Arabia on September 3 via the same program, which targeted the Central Bank of Yemen. Throughout the current year, the Kingdom has rolled out projects and initiatives totaling 1.9 billion riyals.

These investments cover energy, water, education, health, transport, agriculture, and capacity building. The portfolio also includes budget support to cover operational expenses and salaries, addressing urgent government needs while strengthening development partnerships with regional and international institutions.

Beyond cash transfers, Riyadh provided emergency aid valued at $150 million in petroleum derivatives. This supply covers diesel and fuel oil requirements for electricity stations across various governorates, ensuring continuity in power services and associated vital sectors.

Infrastructure and Development Projects

On the infrastructure front, the Saudi program laid the foundation stone for power generation plants in the coast and valley of Hadramout. Each facility carries a total capacity of 100 megawatts, designed to enhance energy production efficiency and operational reliability.

Water sector interventions include the construction of seven elevated tanks and modern distribution networks in Marib, serving more than 368,000 beneficiaries. In housing, the program signed an agreement with the UN-Habitat agency to rehabilitate 620 residential units in Aden, Taiz, and Lahj.

Educational developments feature the establishment of Al-Saban Secondary School in Seiyun, Hadramout, equipped with classrooms, specialized laboratories, and supporting facilities. Concurrently, work accelerates on constructing three medical colleges at Taiz University, covering medicine, nursing, and pharmacy disciplines.

The broader educational support strategy encompasses 60 projects and initiatives across 11 Yemeni governorates. These efforts span general education, higher learning, and technical vocational training, aiming to restore systemic functionality in the sector.