By MD RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh has said Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is keen on providing emergency assistance to deserving people throughout the world.
The chairman was addressing delegates at the 125th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bern during the tabling of an emergency item on the plight of famine-stricken Somalia and relief efforts by IPU member states presented by the Namibian delegation.
“Under our king’s directives, Saudi Arabia quickly responded to the international appeal of the UN secretary-general to assist Somalia, which was devastated by drought and famine,” Al-Asheikh said, pointing out that King Abdullah ordered an urgent donation of $60 million in July.
He explained that out of the $60 million, $50 million was given to the World Food Program and the balance went to the World Health Organization. The Kingdom also donated 500 tons of dates to Somalia.
In addition, Al-Asheikh said, on the king’s initiative the government collected around SR330 million in cash and 400 tons in foodstuffs from people living in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia sent the relief materials, including 5,000 tents, to the famine victims in 24 aircraft through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Shoura chairman said the Kingdom also helped the poverty-stricken country to sink 150 wells to ensure a supply of drinking water to the suffering Somalis.
Al-Asheikh said the Kingdom contributed SR13 million to Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu and sent a team of 20 doctors to treat patients who visit the hospital. “The doctors not only prescribed medicines for the sick but also conducted surgeries as and when needed.”
Categories: Africa, Islam, Middle East, Saudi Arabia