RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has signed an agreement with charitable organization Alwaleed Philanthropies to help Yemenis improve their skills, and implement development projects to improve the standards of living and economic well-being. After the signing ceremony, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the chairman of Alwaleed Philanthropies, met Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed and expressed his joy about the project. Princess Lamia bint Majed, the secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, said the agreement is one of the organization’s most important projects. It will begin with the restoration of houses in Aden before expanding to other areas. Al-Jaber said during the signing ceremony that SDRPY will work to improve the lives of people in Yemen in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies, the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), and Education for Employment, a nonprofit that trains young people in the Middle East and North Africa and helps them find jobs. They aim to improve provide training opportunities, and implement projects and programs that contribute to the development of Yemeni society, the empowerment of women and young people, and forge links between cultures. Al-Jaber added that a priority is to prepare and help young men and women to find jobs, and to empower women, through the introduction of specialized development programs. It is estimated that about 6,000 people will benefit from these programs. In addition, training will be provided for university students in the fields of entrepreneurship and crafts, along with help to find jobs after this training is complete. The agreement also includes plans to build or restore 1,000 housing units, which will benefit about 5,000 people. SDRPY is considered a pioneer of development efforts in Yemen. It has completed more than 100 projects in a number of sectors, including water, energy, electricity, roads, transportation, ports, airports, health, education, agriculture, fisheries, buildings and housing.