SDRPY Kicks off Renovation of 600 Houses in Yemen's Aden

Officials at the signing ceremony.
Officials at the signing ceremony.
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SDRPY Kicks off Renovation of 600 Houses in Yemen's Aden

Officials at the signing ceremony.
Officials at the signing ceremony.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) kicked off the Adequate Housing Project in Yemen's interim capital, Aden, to renovate homes damaged by the ongoing conflict.

An agreement was signed on Wednesday to launch the project.

The first phase includes delivering 80 locations for housing at Al-Mualla district out of 600 housing units that will be renovated in Aden.

The project is being carried out in partnership with Alwaleed Humanitarian Foundation, the United Nations Human Settlements Program, and in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Roads in Yemen, at a cost of around $2.5 million.

Executive Director of the SDRPY Office Ahmed Al-Madkhali underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to support Yemen's reconstruction and sustainable development.

He noted that the project is a result of cooperation between many UN agencies and local authorities in Yemen, with the support of Saudi Arabia.

The first stage of the project includes the renovation of 600 housing units in each of the districts of Mualla and Khormaksar.

This step will benefit 4,000 people, including 200 unemployed youths, who will receive vocational training, and provide 1,600 job opportunities.

General Director of the Mualla district Abdul Rahim Al-Jawi said several criteria were considered in the process of selecting the targeted homes, such as the humanitarian situation of families, and the damage incurred by the homes from war, floods and torrential rain.

The process was carried out through community committees and specialized engineers from the Ministry of Public Works and Roads.



UAE to Try Criminal Gang for Terrorizing Victims, Collecting Illegal Payments

A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
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UAE to Try Criminal Gang for Terrorizing Victims, Collecting Illegal Payments

A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)

United Arab Emirates Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered on Friday the referral of an organized criminal gang to trial before the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal - State Security Department - for crimes threatening the state's security, public order, and societal peace.

A thorough seven-month investigation by the Public Prosecution revealed the involvement of over a hundred defendants in forming, managing, and joining a criminal organization known as the "Bahloul" gang, reported the UAE state news agency (WAM).

The group is accused of engaging in illegal activities, accumulating illicit funds, and distributing the proceeds among themselves by exerting power and influence in the areas where they operate.

They allegedly promote their criminal activities through social media platforms and use prohibited tools and weapons to instill fear in their victims, intending to extort money from them as a form of tribute.

Additionally, the gang is accused of laundering money to conceal the illicit origins of their criminal proceeds.

The UAE Attorney-General emphasized that the Public Prosecution will enforce the law decisively against anyone who commits criminal acts or harms and terrorizes people throughout the country.

Law enforcement authorities perform their duties with utmost vigilance and in accordance with legal procedures to maintain the state's security and ensure the safety of its residents, he stressed.

He urged all citizens and residents who consider the UAE their home to report any crimes as soon as they become aware of them, in order to prevent their dire consequences.