Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to empower Yemeni women in renewable energy projects in the country's Hadhramaut and Lahj governorates.

The agreement was signed by the Director of the Partnerships and International Relations Department at the Center, Dr. Hana Omar, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Development Program and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, Abdullah Al-Dardari. In the presence of the General Supervisor of the Center, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, and the Director of the United Nations Development Program, Achim Steiner, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

As many as 21,375 women will benefit from the project with a value of $2.255 million.

Under the agreement, 375 small projects will be established to produce and market solar-powered household appliances such as lanterns, stoves and traditional ovens (tannour), in addition to providing vocational training for 375 women on the use of solar energy, life and business skills.

The agreement will also provide needy families and displaced persons with alternative energy sources that rely on solar energy, such as basic lighting and home cooking appliances produced by women’s companies.

The agreement comes within the framework of the efforts of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Center, to empower women in Yemen, provide tools that enable them to find income-generating opportunities and enhance the role of women in Yemeni society.