JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to King Salman, received in his office in Jeddah the final report on the work of the standing committee to correct the status of Burmese expats.
The report which Prince Khaled Al-Faisal received from Prince Faisal bin Mohammad, deputy governor for rights affairs and chairman of the standing committee to correct the status of the Burmese, said that more than 190,000 free residence cards, valid for four years, were distributed. The residence permits were issued on sponsorships of companies and institutions and individuals. There were also exemptions from the accumulated fines resulting from non-renewal of residencies for many years because of their inability to renew their passports, or being unable to cancel runaway reports against them.
The report also noted that 7,428 Burmese beneficiaries were referred to the Personal Status Court to prove marriage, parenthood and child support issues.
It further indicated that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development branch in Makkah participated in correcting the status of laborers, including changing the professions, calculating the Burmese worker as only a quarter against the foreign workers in the Nitaqat program, and maintaining Burmese maids on sponsorships of their families. The status changes also included exempting workers from the transfer of their sponsorships to the enterprises where they want to work.
The report also showed that more than 83,000 beneficiaries received vaccinations against tuberculosis, meningitis, seasonal influenza and tetanus at the medical centers at the correction status headquarters. An estimated 750 cases of illnesses were transferred from the emergency medical centers to hospitals in Makkah.
The medical team in charge of work at the correction headquarters received a bus and an ambulance, said the report.
Health Affairs in the region also treated 2,257 cases infected with hepatitis B or C, in addition to other medical conditions at a cost estimated at SR25 million. The total cost of medical treatment and preventive services provided for the Burmese community was estimated at SR782 million.
The report noted the Myanmar community charitable schools’ status in Makkah was corrected, with about 121 schools, and that the students have all been enrolled in the three stages— primary, intermediate and secondary study levels— a total of 62,650 students. It said that university scholarships for outstanding students were also granted to about 1,307 students.
The report reported that free meals were served for a total of 1,500 meals per day throughout the correction period, as well as water supplies, approximately 2,000 water containers daily.
Finally, the report said that free health care services were also provided through the Zamzam Health Services Association and Shifa Association for 11,682 beneficiaries.
Makkah governor receives report on efforts to correct the status of Burmese expats
Makkah governor receives report on efforts to correct the status of Burmese expats
Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals
- Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
- Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track
RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.
Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.
The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.
Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.
The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.
It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.
At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.
The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.
The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.
New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability
- NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
- Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.
These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.
He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.
The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.
These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.
The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
- Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
- Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.
Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.
Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.
The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.
Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.
Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.
Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.
The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.
Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.
The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.
Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.
The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.
KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.
Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.
This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.
In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.
The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.
The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.
