RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday participated in the High-Level Pledging Event for Sudan and the Region, which was held virtually under the joint presidency of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Germany, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the EU, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
In his speech, Prince Faisal expressed hope that the commitments resulting from the conference would “promptly” assist the Sudanese people “in facing the humanitarian challenges and harsh conditions” they are currently experiencing.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s keenness to stand by the Sudanese people and find a political solution to the crisis, referencing the Kingdom’s hosting of the conflicting parties in Jeddah last May as part of a Saudi-American initiative to promote dialogue and de-escalate the situation in Sudan.
The Kingdom, in cooperation with the US, has succeeded in reaching an agreement between the conflicting parties with the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, which has been followed by multiple humanitarian ceasefires, the latest of which was announced a couple of days ago, Prince Faisal said. He expressed his hope that these efforts would succeed in protecting civilians and ensuring the delivery of aid to those affected.
Prince Faisal underscored that the Kingdom has spared no effort in supporting the Sudanese people since the beginning of the crisis. It has provided humanitarian aid worth $100 million through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and operated an airlift involving 13 planes to date, as well as a sea bridge involving two ships carrying food, health and shelter supplies, and other necessities.
Since the beginning of the Sudanese conflict in April, the Kingdom has conducted maritime evacuation operations for those stranded in Sudan, including citizens and residents of friendly countries. This has contributed to saving 8,455 people from 110 countries, Prince Faisal said. He praised the distinguished cooperation between the Kingdom’s aid agencies, UN organizations, and other international institutions specialized in providing humanitarian assistance.
Prince Faisal said that the Kingdom has contributed to the establishment of a humanitarian hub for the World Food Programme in Jeddah, which serves as a center for storing and sending aid to Sudan and neighboring countries affected by the crisis. This facilitates the operations of the UN Humanitarian Air Service, managed by the program.
He emphasized the importance of restoring humanitarian operations, protecting civilians and aid workers, and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid. In this regard, he called for efforts to be strengthened to provide the necessary support for the people of Sudan.
