Saudi Arabia’s relief center prosthetic limbs project benefits 1,839 Yemenis

The KSRelief-funded centers treat landmine victims and train Yemeni cadres as well. (SPA)
Updated 25 February 2019
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Saudi Arabia’s relief center prosthetic limbs project benefits 1,839 Yemenis

  • 1.3 million patients to receive eye treatment
  • The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) in Yemen cleared more than 43,000 mines in the war-ravaged country as of Feb. 15, according to the figures released by KSRelief

JEDDAH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) on Sunday revealed it provided prosthetic limbs for 1,839 civilians mutilated during the war in Yemen in the past three years, at a total cost of $2.3 million.
Prior to April 2017, a medical center backed by KSRelief and based in the city of Marib had fitted prosthetic limbs for 305 patients, and trained 5 Yemeni teams on prosthetic affixation techniques and patient rehabilitation, at a cost of $546,848.
By February 2018, 306 more patients had been treated, and 6 further teams were trained, costing $440,000, and by December 2018, 612 more limbs had been fitted with over 600 old ones replaced across Marib and Aden, coming in at $1.25 million.
The center has gone to great lengths to ensure both convenience and efficiency for patients on waiting lists for prosthetics, including maintaining regular lines of communication with people still awaiting treatment. The training program, established to teach Yemeni medics how to attach prosthetics themselves, is vital for the sustainable future of the center.
Amputations performed on civilians have been a prominent feature of the vicious war in Yemen, with men and many women and children requiring assistance from KSRelief after suffering life-changing injuries from bombs and landmines.
The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) in Yemen cleared more than 43,000 mines in the war-ravaged country as of Feb. 15, according to the figures released by KSRelief. About a million mines have been planted by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen over the past three years, claiming the lives of more than 1,000 civilians.

Eye hospital
KSRelief has started the first phase of a project to operate and prepare the Makkah Eye Specialist Hospital in Yemen’s Marib province to serve 1.3 million patients from across the country.
Dr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Moallem, director of the health and environmental aid department at KSRelief, said it signed on Feb. 9 an agreement to prepare and operate a specialized center for ophthalmology and eye surgery in Marib, which will last three years and cost $2.97 million.
The project aims to treat eye injuries, raise awareness on eye health, and establish a package of services in Marib to support Yemen’s Health Ministry and citizens. The second phase of the project, which will last three years, will focus on receiving patients.
Since its establishment in May 2015, KSRelief has implemented 692 projects around the world.
In Yemen, 325 programs have been run by KSRelief in partnership with 80 UN, international and local nongovernmental organizations. An estimated 2.5 million Yemenis have benefited from medical services provided by KSRelief in 2018, the SPA said.
Saudi Arabia has given $84.7 billion in foreign aid to 79 countries between 1996 and 2018.


Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

Updated 10 December 2024
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Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

RIYADH: The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday Prince Turki bin Mohammed, the Saudi minister of state and Cabinet member, and his accompanying delegation.

Prince Turki conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Kuwaiti leadership.

Sheikh Meshal, in turn, sent his greetings and appreciation to the king and crown prince, wishing them continued good health and well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During their meeting at Bayan Palace, the two discussed relations between their respective countries and ways to develop them.

The Saudi delegation included Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid, the Saudi ambassador to Kuwait, and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, the minister of finance, alongside senior Saudi and Kuwaiti aides. 

Prince Turki also met on Tuesday with the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.


Riyadh mayor receives English official

Updated 10 December 2024
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Riyadh mayor receives English official

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Faisal bin Ayyaf on Monday received the Mayor of North East England Kim McGuinness.

During their meeting the pair discussed ways to boost cooperation between Riyadh and the English region.

Ayyaf stressed the municipality’s keenness to establish international partnerships in various fields.

McGuinness praised the developments achieved by Riyadh and highlighted the importance of cooperation in areas of common interest.


Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Updated 10 December 2024
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Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

  • Campaign coinciding with COP16 launched in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh Municipality

Riyadh: The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Riyadh Municipality, launched a tree-planting campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A series of programs are being organized by the embassy to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties, an embassy spokesperson told Arab News.

The planting event was organized at Al-Darseena Park in the capital and coincided with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, which is being hosted in Riyadh from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land Our Future.”

A number of officials participated in the event, planting trees, including embassy staff, Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, Himali De Costa of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment, and Dulanji Herath of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, staff and students of the Sri Lanka International School in Riyadh as well as senior officials of the Riyadh Municipality also participated.

Ghada binth Abdullah Al-Omran, director of volunteer services at the Riyadh Municipality, extended thanks to the Sri Lankan Embassy for launching the initiative and the Sri Lankan community for their active participation.

Addressing the gathering, Ajwad noted that the event aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees.

It also adds value to the commemoration of ties between Saudi Arabi and Sri Lanka as it shows solidarity with COP16, being hosted in Riyadh, which aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, Ajwad added.

The ambassador expressed his sincere appreciation to Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of the Riyadh Region, for allocating parks for this tree-planting initiative and the excellent arrangements made by the municipality to this end.

Senior Director Arif Al-Sulami and his team at the Riyadh Municipality helped organize the tree planting event in five prominent parks in the Riyadh Region.

As part of a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the embassy is also organizing the Ambassador’s Cup Cricket Tournament with matches being played by the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Updated 10 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

  • Minister urges unified Arab media strategy, and artificial intelligence integration to enhance content

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary has emphasized the importance of leveraging Arab efforts in the sector to support the Palestinian cause. 

Al-Dossary made the comments while chairing the 20th session of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council in Abu Dhabi, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by heads of Arab delegations, institutions, and unions engaged in media-related activities. 

Al-Dossary stressed the need for all Arab media outlets to highlight the resolutions issued during the recent Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh. 

These resolutions reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, unwavering support for the national rights of the besieged people, and the pursuit of a just and comprehensive solution based on international agreements. 

“We meet today to discuss 12 items as part of Arab efforts to enhance joint Arab media work, foremost among them the Palestinian cause,” the minister said. 

He also emphasized the importance of the unified Arab plan for media engagement with environmental issues.

Al-Dossary highlighted Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the One Water Summit, stressing the importance of showcasing their outcomes in Arab media. 

He underscored the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence technologies in Arab media to enhance content and analyze audience behavior.

Furthermore, he called for the insights from the Global AI Summit held in Riyadh to be implemented to improve the performance of Arab media.

He noted that discussions were held on key issues, including the role of the media in combating terrorism.

In addition, there was a focus on the Arab League’s efforts to follow up on the Arab Media Action Plan abroad, and the Arab Media Map for Sustainable Development 2030.


Saudi Arabia launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

Updated 10 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

  • Ship features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers

Riyadh: Cruise Saudi, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s cruise industry, has introduced its first ship, AROYA, at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The ship’s launch marks a significant step toward bolstering maritime tourism across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The vessel, which features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers.

It offers a diverse culinary experience with 12 restaurants and 17 cafes, serving dishes from five continents while highlighting Saudi flavors.

AROYA is equipped with various entertainment facilities, including a shopping area, a 1,018-seat theater, a children’s zone, and prayer areas, according to the SPA.

It also features designated women’s hours in health and entertainment venues, along with extensive sports amenities such as a walking track, and football and basketball courts.