For decades, Yemen’s Al-Abr Road in was a notorious deathtrap—crumbling, perilous, and littered with the scars of countless accidents. Today, thanks to a sweeping rehabilitation effort, this vital artery has been reborn as a lifeline for millions.  

Stretching across three key governorates—Marib, Hadramout, and Shabwah—Al-Abr Road is more than just a highway; it’s a crucial link for trade, travel, and survival. Connecting Yemen to Saudi Arabia via Al-Wadiah border, the road serves as a primary route for travelers, traders, and families moving between Yemen’s interior and its international crossings.  

Yet for years, neglect turned the road into a nightmare. Fractured asphalt, gaping cracks, and relentless sand dunes turned every journey into a gamble. With no emergency services along the route, accidents often turned fatal, earning the road a grim reputation as the "Road of Death."  

In 2018 alone, 105 lives were lost and 800 people injured in crashes along this treacherous stretch. For many, like Saleh Hussein, a 31-year-old, the road brought tragedy. "I lost two family members in a 2019 accident while returning from Saudi Arabia," he recalls. "After that, we feared even setting foot on it."

SDRPY Steps In

Recognizing the crisis, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) stepped in. In December 2020, the program launched a comprehensive project targeting 129 kilometers of the road for full rehabilitation.  

The first phase, completed in May 2024, transformed 50 kilometers from Al-Dhuwaibi to Al-Abr in Hadramout—widening lanes, repaving surfaces, and installing modern safety features. Mohammed Saeed Al Jaber, SDRPY’s General Supervisor, hailed the revamped highway as a "road to life," with further upgrades already underway.  

A New Era of Safe Travel  

The impact is undeniable. According to the SDRPY data, the road benefits 11 million Yemenis annually. Ahmed Mohsen, a seasoned driver, was stunned by the change. "I’ve driven all over Yemen, but I’ve never seen a road this smooth and secure," he says.  

For Saleh Hussein, the transformation is personal. "Now, we can travel without fear," he says. "I hope SDRPY can do the same for every dangerous road in Yemen."  

Beyond the Road: A Broader Vision 

The Al-Abr project is just one piece of SDRPY’s sweeping efforts in Yemen. With 38 transportation projects—including upgrades to ports, airports, roads, and border crossings—the program is strengthening Yemen’s infrastructure, economy, and social ties.  

To date, SDRPY has implemented 263 development projects across eight essential sectors, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture, and fisheries, touching lives in 14 Yemeni governorates.