A Saudi oil tanker carrying the first batch of petroleum products worth $60 million arrived at Yemen's Aden port Monday (October 29th), to help power electricity stations and prop up the country's sagging economy, AFP reported.
The aid, meant to ease crippling power cuts, marks the latest economic assistance offered by the kingdom as Yemen –- already on the brink of famine -- reels from an economic downturn that has left many unable to afford food staples.
"A Saudi tanker reached Aden carrying the first installment of oil derivatives such as diesel and mazut, worth $60 million," a Saudi government statement said.
"They are meant to be supplied to power stations in provinces liberated by the Yemeni government."
Yemen's central bank governor Mohamed Zemam told AFP the monthly aid will help the struggling government divert an average of $50 million per month that it currently spends on electricity to sectors such as healthcare and education.
The assistance comes after Saudi Arabia deposited $200 million in Yemen's central bank earlier this month to help stem a slide in the riyal.
