Two planes land in Egypt with 32 tons of supplies, ambulances
16 trucks carrying aid from Saudi Arabia entered the Rafah Border Crossing on Dec. 15
Updated 16 December 2023
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief sent its fourth shipment of aid to Gaza on Saturday. The ship departed from Jeddah Islamic Port heading to Port Said in Egypt carrying 250 containers, of which 225 contain medical supplies. The other 25 contain food supplies and provisions for shelters.
In total, according to KSrelief spokesperson Samer Al-Jetaily, the ship is carrying around 1,200 tons of aid and was expected to reach Port Said within 48 hours of its departure. From there, the aid will be transported by land to the Rafah Border Crossing.
Al-Jetaily told Arab News that 16 trucks carrying aid from Saudi Arabia entered the Rafah Border Crossing on Dec. 15, bringing the total of trucks so far to 57.
Al-Jetaily added: “With the departure of the fourth ship, the total aid sent to the Palestinian brothers so far exceeds 4,500 tons.” That aid includes 20 fully equipped ambulances, which will serve as primary care clinics as well as to rescue and transport the injured.
He continued: “The major challenge facing world aid to Gaza is the entry restriction imposed by the Israeli occupation. We currently have 100 trucks waiting at the Rafah Border Crossing for entry at any moment.”
In addition to providing aid by sea, KSrelief has been conducting an ongoing airlift operation. The 29th and 30th aid planes, sent in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt on Saturday carrying 32 tons of relief supplies, including two ambulances.
“The goal is to save the lives of our Palestinian brothers and alleviate their suffering in this ongoing humanitarian disaster. There is still an increasing need, and the need multiplies with each passing day, especially in light of the growing number of martyrs and deaths,” Al-Jetaily said.
“We hope that countries around the world can contribute to a cease-fire,” he continued. “This is the diplomatic request of Saudi Arabia and the world. We hope for the opening of the door for aid to enter without conditions to reduce the magnitude of deaths and suffering.”
Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues global humanitarian efforts
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Jordan.
KSrelief distributed 1,321 food parcels and 1,321 hygiene kits on Wednesday in the city of Afrin in Aleppo Governorate, benefiting 7,926 individuals.
The assistance is part of a project entailing providing aid to individuals affected by the earthquake in northern Syria.
In Yemen, KSrelief handed out 740 food parcels in Lahij governorate. This initiative benefited 5,180 individuals from 740 families and is part of the food aid project to support the neediest families in Yemen for 2024.
KSrelief also distributed on Wednesday 280 food boxes in the city of Osh in the Kyrgyz Republic, benefiting 1,400 individuals.
In Sudan, KSrelief held on Thursday a volunteer medical project for specialized thyroid surgeries in Port Sudan. The project started on October 12 and will last October until 19.
KSrelief’s team of medical volunteers has successfully performed 15 specialized thyroid surgeries, since the start of the campaign.
In Jordan, KSrelief launched a project to support Syrian orphans and the community hosting them.
The initiative will benefit 1,000 orphans, including both Syrian refugees and those from the host community, residing in various cities including Amman, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash, Balqa, Madaba and Aqaba.
Saudi authorities seize multi-million dollar haul of narcotics
Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenaged boys across the Middle East
Updated 19 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi authorities have seized a massive haul of 1.2 million Captagon tablets, state news agency SPA reported.
Customs officials at the Halat Ammar border crossing found the pills using x-ray technology and sniffer dogs. The pills were hidden inside a marble mixer.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to arrest two individuals who were supposed to receive the shipment inside the Kingdom.
The drugs haul had an estimated street value of between $12 million and $30 million, according to research published in the International Addiction Review Journal, based on assumptions that users pay between $10 and $25 a pill.
Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenaged boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of all narcotics are usually ploughed back into the drug trade while some find their way into organized crime and terrorism.
ZATCA emphasized its commitment to preventing smuggling and protecting the community. It urges people to report any suspicious activity by contacting ZATCA on its security hotline (1910), via email ([email protected]), or by calling its international number (+966 11 420 8417). All reports are confidential, and financial rewards are offered for information that leads to the capture of smugglers and the prevention of smuggling crimes.
Why Saudi Arabia is championing the responsible disposal of batteries and e-waste
The improper disposal of batteries poses serious threats to human health, the environment, and public safety
Saudi Arabia has launched dedicated e-waste collections and awareness campaigns to encourage battery recycling
Updated 19 October 2024
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: In today’s tech-driven society, electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is growing at an alarming rate, with batteries being a significant contributor to this environmental challenge.
The improper disposal of batteries poses serious threats to human health, the environment, and public safety. As Saudi Arabia adopts sustainable practices, addressing battery waste is viewed as a critical issue.
Batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy, allowing them to power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. While they are essential to modern life, they contain hazardous materials that, if improperly disposed of, can leach into the environment.
“Improper battery disposal can contaminate the air, water and soil as batteries contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury,” Dr. Sultan Meo, a professor and consultant at King Saud University’s Department of Physiology in Riyadh, told Arab News.
In a recent study, Meo reported that environmental pollution causes about 8.1 million deaths a year — more than 1 in 8 deaths globally — making it the second leading risk factor for early death, surpassed only by high blood pressure.
Lead is particularly harmful, especially to children. In fact, the World Health Organization lists it as one of the top ten chemicals of public health concern.
“Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, as it can cause neurological disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, impaired memory, cognitive dysfunction, attention disorders, depression and anxiety,” Meo said.
Encouraging responsible disposal practices protects the environment and promotes community safety. (Shutterstock photo)
There is also a link between lead exposure and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide were attributed to lead exposure in 2021, primarily due to cardiovascular effects. It has also been linked to reduced IQ in children.
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The health risks extend beyond the heart and brain, however. Lead also reduces sperm count and motility, affecting male fertility, further highlighting the need for responsible disposal methods.
When batteries are discarded in landfills or mixed with regular waste, the impact on wildlife and ecosystems is immense. Chemicals from leaking batteries seep into the soil and waterways, poisoning plant and animal life and disrupting food chains.
The effects also trickle down to humans through contaminated water and food.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electronics, are particularly hazardous. When damaged or mishandled, they can short-circuit and cause fires, both in landfills and recycling centers.
Physical damage to batteries can cause leaks of hazardous chemicals to the soil, which may eventually lead to toxins in the human body through food consumption, in addition, the leaks of chemicals can cause fire, especially lithium-based batteries. (AFP/File)
Fires in waste management facilities expose workers to dangerous toxins and can lead to larger environmental disasters.
To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to store batteries safely before disposal. Batteries should be kept away from flammable materials and handled carefully to avoid puncturing or crushing, which could result in hazardous leaks or explosions.
Saudi Arabia has committed to promoting environmental sustainability, including responsible e-waste management and recycling. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is implementing recycling programs and raising awareness about the importance of proper battery disposal.
In 2022, the Saudi government launched various initiatives aimed at enhancing recycling infrastructure, including dedicated e-waste collection points and awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to recycle batteries and other electronic waste properly.
The Saudi Investment Recycling Company is leading these efforts by building the Kingdom’s first integrated e-waste recycling plant.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Many retailers now offer e-waste recycling programs, making it easier to safely dispose of old batteries.
• Used batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from flammable materials, to prevent fire or leakage.
• Disposal instructions should be followed, especially for larger batteries used in industrial equipment or vehicles.
• Educating others about the risks of improper battery disposal helps to protect the environment and public health.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is also promoting initiatives that align with global standards for battery recycling, helping to mitigate the harmful effects of hazardous materials on the environment.
Saudi Arabia is also promoting circular economy principles — reducing waste, recycling materials and reusing valuable components from old batteries.
While infrastructure improvements are vital, public awareness of proper disposal methods is equally important.
Retailers and municipalities across Saudi Arabia are increasingly offering waste disposal facilities, but public engagement is key to their success. (AN file photo)
Batteries should never be thrown in regular trash bins. Instead, consumers must be educated on using designated drop-off locations for battery recycling.
Retailers and municipalities across Saudi Arabia are increasingly offering these facilities, but public engagement is key to their success.
“Batteries should be recycled or disposed of properly at designated facilities to prevent fires and the release of toxic chemicals into the air, water and soil,” Meo said.
Through a combination of government initiatives, public awareness campaigns and individual action, the Kingdom is taking action on e-waste management.
OCHA donor support group discusses humanitarian strategies for 2025, Saudi Arabia highlights commitment to Sudan
A key concern raised during the meeting was the funding gap in OCHA’s 2025 budget
Updated 18 October 2024
Arab News
LONDON: The UN’s humanitarian office met on Thursday in Geneva to discuss its plans for 2025, with representatives from Saudi Arabia taking part in the meeting, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) donor spport group convened its regular expert-level meeting, which was chaired by Norway.
Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) led the Kingdom’s delegation.
The meeting covered key topics including the implementation of OCHA’s Strategic Plan for 2025 and its Flagship Initiative, which aims to enhance global humanitarian coordination.
Al-Ghamdi lauded the initiative, calling for a stronger integration of humanitarian and development efforts to ensure long-term sustainability in global aid responses.
Discussions also touched upon updates on the analysis of global humanitarian needs and resource allocation strategies. Al-Ghamdi emphasized the importance of involving local communities in the planning processes to ensure effective and inclusive aid delivery.
A key concern raised during the meeting was the funding gap in OCHA’s 2025 budget.
Al-Ghamdi advocated for sustainable solutions to bridge this gap and called for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that aid reaches those most in need.
In a special session focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Al-Ghamdi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s active role in supporting the region.
He noted the Kingdom’s recent efforts during the United Nations General Assembly, where more than $500 million was pledged to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan and surrounding regions, including a $25 million contribution from the Central Emergency Response Fund.
Saudi Arabia has committed to providing $115 million to support Sudan’s humanitarian needs, focusing on critical areas such as food aid, health services, water, sanitation, and shelter for displaced populations and refugees.
The meeting concluded with a call to strengthen cooperation and partnerships between donor countries and OCHA to ensure the necessary funding for a comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian response to crises around the world.
The Eastern Province, Najran, Al-Baha, Asir and Jazan regions will likely be impacted by moderate-to-heavy rainfall
Updated 18 October 2024
SPA
RIYADH: The Civil Defense has warned of heavy rainfall and flash floods in several regions of Saudi Arabia.
Citizens and residents should take precautions by avoiding areas prone to flooding, including valleys, and not swim in dangerous areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
It stressed that the public should follow warnings issued by the Civil Defense in the media.
There is likely to be dust-laden winds and moderate-to-heavy rainfall in Makkah and Riyadh.
The Eastern Province, Najran, Al-Baha, Asir and Jazan regions will likely be impacted by moderate-to-heavy rainfall.
In Madinah, the Northern Borders, Qassim and Hail there will likely be light-to-moderate rainfall, the SPA reported.
