KSrelief food aid reaches needy communities worldwide

KSrelief food aid reaches needy communities worldwide
In Bangladesh, 1,000 food baskets were handed out to the neediest families in the Kishoreganj region, helping 5,000 people. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 17 March 2024
Follow

KSrelief food aid reaches needy communities worldwide

KSrelief food aid reaches needy communities worldwide

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed food to thousands of people around the world, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Bijelo Polje town in Montenegro received 250 food baskets from the organization, benefiting 1,250 people, as part of KSrelief’s Ramadan food basket project Etaam. It is planned to distribute a total of 8,700 food parcels to the needy in Montenegro.

In Bangladesh, 1,000 food baskets were handed out to the neediest families in the Kishoreganj region, helping 5,000 people, while 400 parcels were distributed in Bloemfontein, the capital of South Africa.

In Indonesia’s West Java province, 2,768 people benefited from 717 KSrelief packages, and 600 parcels were sent for 6,300 people in Cotonou, the capital of Littoral in Benin.

The organization distributed a further 500 parcels to Ghana, benefiting 3,000 people in the Old Tafo Kumasi district. The project aims to deliver 5,300 food packages throughout five cities in Ghana, helping 31,800 of the country’s neediest citizens.




In Indonesia’s West Java province, 2,768 people benefited from 717 KSrelief packages. (SPA)

The Etaam project is part of initiative is part of the relief and humanitarian aid offered by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Interior said recently that KSrelief was the only organization authorized to receive donations and deliver them abroad to those in need.

In a post on X, ministry officials pointed out that the Kingdom’s donation campaigns followed set procedures to ensure items reached the intended recipients. Attempts to collect donations through other means would result in legal action, they said. Members of the public are urged to report suspected violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and eastern regions of the country, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.

Since 2015, KSrelief has implemented 2,670 projects worth more than $6.5 billion in 95 countries, in cooperation with 175 local, regional and international partners. The bulk of the support has gone to Yemen ($4.3 billion), Syria ($391 million), Palestine ($370 million) and Somalia ($227 million).

KSrelief’s programs cover food security, health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, telecommunications and logistics.


Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president at Al-Yamamah Palace

Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president at Al-Yamamah Palace
Updated 15 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president at Al-Yamamah Palace

Saudi crown prince receives Germany’s president at Al-Yamamah Palace

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Al-Yamamah Palace on Monday. 

Developing 


Makkah trials hydrogen-powered buses to promote clean energy, sustainability

Makkah trials hydrogen-powered buses to promote clean energy, sustainability
Updated 20 min 8 sec ago
Follow

Makkah trials hydrogen-powered buses to promote clean energy, sustainability

Makkah trials hydrogen-powered buses to promote clean energy, sustainability
  • Scheme is part of a MoU between the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites and the Ministry of Energy to implement a pilot project for hydrogen fuel cell buses on designated routes
  • Aims to explore hydrogen applications in transportation, gain commercial and technical expertise, and gather insights for potential future expansion

RIYADH: The second trial of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus has been launched in Makkah.

It is overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the Transport General Authority, the General Directorate of Civil Defense and the General Department of Traffic.

The scheme is part of a memorandum of understanding between the commission and the ministry to implement a pilot project for hydrogen fuel cell buses on designated routes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It aims to explore hydrogen applications in transportation, gain commercial and technical expertise, and gather insights for potential future expansion. It also seeks to raise public awareness of hydrogen technology.

Through the initiative, the commission aims to introduce clean energy-based transportation solutions, enhancing quality of life in alignment with Vision 2030’s goals to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

The project also seeks to improve services for pilgrims and Umrah performers, enhancing their experience at the holy sites, the SPA reported.

The hydrogen bus trial is integrated into the Makkah Bus Project, with an operational plan ensuring security and safety. This includes running buses along the designated route and deploying a mobile hydrogen fueling station.

An evaluation of the trial will focus on efficiency, performance, operational sustainability, cost-effectiveness and passenger comfort, ensuring Makkah’s public transportation system evolves into a more sustainable service.


Interim president of Syrian Arab Republic visits SDAIA headquarters

Interim president of Syrian Arab Republic visits SDAIA headquarters
Updated 03 February 2025
Follow

Interim president of Syrian Arab Republic visits SDAIA headquarters

Interim president of Syrian Arab Republic visits SDAIA headquarters
  • Syrian leader tours facilities in Riyadh

RIYADH: Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the interim president of the Syrian Arab Republic, has visited the headquarters of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Al-Sharaa was received upon his arrival by the Minister of State Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha; Majed Al-Mazyed, the governor of the National Cyber Security Authority; and Suhail Abanmi, the governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

Al-Sharaa toured SDAIA’s facilities, led by the President of the SDAIA Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi.

Opinion

This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)

Alghamdi highlighted the technological advancements and efforts made by Saudi Arabia, in accordance with Vision 2030, to make the Kingdom a global center for artificial intelligence technologies.

He also spoke about the Kingdom’s efforts to optimize data usage, including the Tawakkalna application that provides a unified platform for government services.

The National Cybersecurity Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority also delivered presentations.

Established in 2019 by royal decree, the SDAIA is an independent government agency that focuses on AI and big data.

On his first visit to the Kingdom since taking office, Al-Sharaa met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday and the parties discussed ways to support the security and stability of the Syrian Arab Republic.

They also discussed ways to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries, and reviewed developments in the region more broadly.

The leader of the Syrian Arab Republic then traveled to Jeddah on Monday before heading to Makkah to perform Umrah.

The Saudi Press Agency shared photographs of Al-Sharaa wearing Ihram clothing, garments worn by Muslims during pilgrimage.


Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs hold second strategic meeting in Tokyo

Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs hold second strategic meeting in Tokyo
Updated 03 February 2025
Follow

Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs hold second strategic meeting in Tokyo

Japan, Saudi Arabia FMs hold second strategic meeting in Tokyo
  • Ministers sign pacts on strategic partnership, visa waivers for the two countries’ diplomats and officials
  • Iwaya said he was looking forward to further collaboration between the two nations’ private and public sectors

TOKYO: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday said Osaka Expo 2025 was an “important opportunity” to strengthen collaboration between Japan and the Kingdom. 

At the second Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministerial Level Strategic Dialogue meeting in Tokyo, Prince Faisal met with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. 

The two officials discussed collaboration and “working together for a better future.” 

Prince Faisal also emphasized that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic relations.

The two officials signed a memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership, and visa waivers for the two countries’ diplomats and officials. 

Iwaya said he was looking forward to further collaboration between the two nations’ private and public sectors. 

Japan wants to work with Saudi Arabia to help achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, added Iwaya.


Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen
Updated 03 February 2025
Follow

Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 732 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 11 anti-personnel mines, 31 anti-tank mines, 685 unexploded ordnances and five explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 480,526 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.