Saudi aid agency donates $5m to World Food Programme

Saudi aid agency donates $5m to World Food Programme
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center shipping the third batch of assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 03 April 2024
Follow

Saudi aid agency donates $5m to World Food Programme

Saudi aid agency donates $5m to World Food Programme
  • Money will provide life-saving support for 378,000 Palestinians in Gaza
  • Kingdom committed to supporting people in need around the world, KSrelief says

 RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief on Tuesday made a contribution of $5 million to the UN World Food Programme to support its operations in Palestine.

The agreement was signed between Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, and Cindy McCain, the WFP’s executive director.

The funds will be used to provide food parcels for 75,000 households, or about 378,000 internally displaced Palestinians, in the Gaza Strip.

Each parcel contains 16.3 kg of commodities, including canned fish, meat and vegetables, and date bars. The packages are designed to meet the needs of a family of five for 10 days.

“Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, remains committed to supporting those who are in need around the world,” Al-Rabeeah said.

“Our solidarity with the people of Gaza is embodied in our tireless efforts to ensure that aid reaches them urgently. I am very pleased to sign this agreement with our valued partners in the World Food Programme to provide support and food aid to displaced people in Gaza.

“We thank WFP for its ongoing commitment to saving and improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable.”

McCain said: “We’re delighted to continue building on our strong partnership with KSrelief, providing critical support to WFP’s emergency response in Gaza and contributing to the well-being and dignity of so many vulnerable families who were displaced, injured or traumatized by the ongoing conflicts.”

The WFP is distributing ready-to-eat food parcels, wheat flour and specialized nutritional products for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children. It is also supports more than 70 community kitchens that provide 350,000 hot meals every day.

More than 1.45 million people in Gaza received food assistance in February.

The WFP is also helping bakeries to get back on their feet by providing them with wheat flour and other necessary resources they need to operate. About 500,000 people have been able to buy bread again because of this assistance.

The agency needs 22,000 tonnes of food every month to meet the needs of 1.1 million people.


Saudi crown prince checks on health of Morocco’s king during phone call

Saudi crown prince checks on health of Morocco’s king during phone call
Updated 13 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince checks on health of Morocco’s king during phone call

Saudi crown prince checks on health of Morocco’s king during phone call
  • The king had successful surgery earlier in December

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call on Friday to King Mohammed VI of Morocco to check on the king's health and wish him continued good health and wellbeing, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

King Mohammed thanked the crown prince for the call and kind wishes, SPA added.

The king had successful surgery earlier in December on his left shoulder after suffering a fall while working out, state media said.


Japan looks forward to strengthening relations with ‘major power’ Saudi Arabia as 70th anniversary nears

Japan looks forward to strengthening relations with ‘major power’ Saudi Arabia as 70th anniversary nears
Updated 20 December 2024
Follow

Japan looks forward to strengthening relations with ‘major power’ Saudi Arabia as 70th anniversary nears

Japan looks forward to strengthening relations with ‘major power’ Saudi Arabia as 70th anniversary nears

DUBAI: Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a press conference on Friday that Saudi Arabia is a “major power” in the Middle East and plays a significant role in peace and stability in the region.

“Saudi Arabia is an important country for Japan, especially when it comes to energy and security. The country is an important partner,” he said.

Responding to a question about next year’s 70th anniversary celebrations between the two countries, Iwaya explained that Japan, on a broader and deeper scope, wants to “promote cooperation and understanding” with Saudi Arabia.

Iwaya said that Japan was soliciting public proposals for commemorative events between the two countries. “Between the governments, we are moving forward with certain plans,” he added.

In October, a commemorative logo was released, which features a combination of a palm tree, a symbol of Saudi Arabia, and cherry blossoms, a flower synonymous with Japan.

The foreign minister also spoke about Japanese boxing champion Naoya Inoue’s sponsorship contract with Riyadh Season.

“(The contract) is something that we should be very happy about, we are proud of this super champion. So, we hope that he will be very active and successful in Saudi Arabia as well. We welcome this,” he told the press conference.

Inoue announced the sponsorship deal in November, which is reported to be worth about $20 million. The boxing champion will have the Riyadh Season logo displayed on the branding for his fights.

During the press conference, Iwaya also announced newly designed Japanese passports in 2025 as well as Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s potential meeting with US president-elect Donald Trump.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts

Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts
Updated 20 December 2024
Follow

Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts

Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts
  • Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition

RIYADH: The Diriyah Company has announced the launch of Diriyah Season 24/25, which begins on Friday, Dec. 20 with a display of Diriyah’s heritage, hospitality, and immersive cultural experiences through various programs.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Company, said: “We anticipate welcoming three million visitors to At-Turaif district, the birthplace of the Kingdom, by Founding Day on Feb. 22, 2025.

“We are breaking records in visitor numbers and forming numerous partnerships for ground and tour operations, with new flights already arriving from countries like China. The international presence in Bujairi is evident every night, making it one of the world’s premier gathering spots.”

Under the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,” Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition, honoring the legacy of Imam Turki bin Abdullah, who founded the Second Saudi State 200 years ago. The much-anticipated Layali Diriyah returns with innovative experiences, while Minzal invites visitors to appreciate the natural beauty and heritage of Diriyah in a winter wonderland.

Guests can engage with the “850” interactive experience, immersing themselves in the narratives of significant historical figures. The Diriyah Storytelling Festival will celebrate literature and promote cultural exchange. Additionally, the Tyn Festival will bring together architects, academics and enthusiasts to celebrate the region’s tradition of mud architecture.

In the historic At-Turaif district and Bujairi Terrace, visitors will embark on a journey filled with cultural and artistic expression. The Souq program combines performing arts with a heritage backdrop enriched by modern elements. Lastly, the Samri Art Activities will offer interactive performances of Samri folk music and dance at various locations in Diriyah throughout the season.


UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh

UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh
Updated 20 December 2024
Follow

UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh

UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh
  • Event witnessed launch of Riyadh Declaration to help strengthen international partnerships in AI
  • Forum featured experts from 170 countries

RIYADH: The UN Internet Governance Forum concluded its 19th edition on Thursday at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

The forum’s organizers said that the global event had focused on internet governance policies and emerging digital challenges. It had achieved the highest attendance in the history of the forum, surpassing 11,000 participants.

The forum also witnessed the launch of the Riyadh Declaration, a document which aims at strengthening international partnerships in artificial intelligence and digital technologies to serve humanity.

The event featured experts and specialists in internet technology and policy from 170 countries, with more than 1,000 international speakers contributing to over 300 sessions and workshops, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It revolved around four main topics: innovation and risk in the digital space; development and sustainability; promoting human rights and inclusiveness; and improving the digital governance of the internet, the SPA added.


King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival concludes with record-breaking prize pool

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival concludes with record-breaking prize pool
Updated 19 December 2024
Follow

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival concludes with record-breaking prize pool

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival concludes with record-breaking prize pool
  • The 17-day event featured 1,032 falconers from nine countries, 3,322 birds and a total prize pool of $9.6 million

The 2024 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which featured a prize pool of more than SR36 million ($9.6 million), the largest in the history of the event, concluded on Thursday.

The festival, which began on Dec. 3 and was organized by the The Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, featured 1,032 falconers, of whom 160 came from outside the Kingdom. They represented nine countries — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Italy and Ireland — and brought with them 3,322 birds. A youth section included 49 young falconers.

The festival culminated in two rounds of the King’s Sword, the toughest and most lucrative section of the Melwah competition, with total prize pools of SR925,000 for each round.

Barghash Al-Mansouri, who won the first round in the Shaheen and Hur categories, said his falcon SH13 had performed exceptionally well to clinch first place. He said the bird has great strength but can be affected by adverse wind conditions. On the day, however, conditions were favorable and it was able to maintain stability and perform at its best.

He added that he had expected Shama, a falcon owned by Fahd Al-Mansouri, to take the top spot but instead it finished second. He thanked the club for its exceptional efforts in organizing the festival and congratulated all the winners, noting that the competition grows stronger each year.

Talal Al-Shumaisi, CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, thanked the Kingdom’s leaders for their support of falconry and its heritage, in particular Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the club’s general supervisor. He also thanked Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, the chairman of the board of directors of the club, for his support.