Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will distribute 6,500 tons of dates to the needy in 43 countries across the world under an annual program that was launched in Riyadh recently.

Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah launched the annual dates distribution program at the agency’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The dean of the Diplomatic Corps of Djibouti in Riyadh, Dya-Eddin Said Bamakhrama, officials of the Al-Ahsa Date Factory, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture were present.

“Under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, KSrelief is pleased to announce the launching of the Annual Dates Distribution Program with the participation of Foreign, Finance, Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministries of Saudi Arabia together with the Al-Ahsa Date Factory,” Al-Rabeeah said while inaugurating the program.

“Dates are one of the Kingdom’s most important agricultural outputs, and the leadership is keen to distribute the nutritionally beneficial produce each year just before the holy month of Ramadan,” he said, adding that 6,500 tons of dates will be distributed to 43 countries.

H said 4,000 tons will be allocated to the World Food Program (WFP) for distribution in 14 countries, and 2,500 tons will be allocated directly to national governments in 29 other countries.

“We affirm Saudi Arabia’s keenness to maintain its pioneering humanitarian role in the world and its commitment to following humanitarian principles of impartiality to help alleviate the suffering of those of need in various countries around the world,” Al-Rabeeah said.

“We would like to point out that Saudi Arabia’s aid has exceeded a total of $86 billion since 1996, providing support to some 80 countries,” he said.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has implemented 996 projects since its establishment in May 2015 for an amount of $3.25 billion. These projects covered 44 countries and were implemented in cooperation with 141 UN, international and regional organizations.

The total amount of aid provided by the Kingdom to Yemen during the last four years has reached $11.88 billion, benefiting all Yemeni governorates and regions impartially, Al-Rabeeah said.

“In conclusion, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the ministries participating in this humanitarian project, as well as to our implementing partners, my colleagues and everyone who contributed to reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s values of tolerance and generosity,” the KSrelief supervisor said.

Djibouti’s Ambassador Bamakhrama said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had always been a good supporter of all countries and peoples in need, and its support reached all people without exception. The Republic of Djibouti is one of those countries.”

He said the Kingdom’s support for Yemen was extensive and was much appreciated.

“On behalf of the diplomatic corps, I would like to thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the Kingdom’s wise government and the people of Saudi Arabia for this humanitarian gestures,” he said.