Saudi aid agency continues relief work in Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan

The winter bags aid is part of the KSrelief’s project to help people in need in Pakistan. (SPA)
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Updated 21 November 2021
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Saudi aid agency continues relief work in Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan

  • KSrelief has continued rolling out water supply and environmental projects in Hodeidah governorate

BALOCHISTAN: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center recently distributed 3,926 winter bags to those affected by the earthquake in the Harnai district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, benefiting 25,578 people.

The aid is part of the center’s 2021 winter project to help people in need in Pakistan.

With one of the largest humanitarian aid budgets in the world, KSrelief has been working in 76 countries, and after Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Somalia, Pakistan is the biggest beneficiary of the organization’s humanitarian operations.

In Yemen, KSrelief is aiding people in the Aden, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Mahra and Hadramaut governorates by delivering tons of food and equipment in 22 trucks in one week.

The aid includes 1,000 tents, 1,750 shelter bags and 7,060 cartons of dates. The distribution comes within the framework of the humanitarian efforts being provided by KSrelief for the Yemeni people.

Meanwhile, the mobile medical nutritional clinics of KSrelief provided treatment services for 4,435 patients in the Hodeidah governorate.

The clinics include the epidemiology clinic, emergency clinic, internal medicine clinic, children’s clinic, reproductive health clinic, nutritional therapy clinic, immunization clinic, awareness and education clinic, and surgery and surgical dressing department.

The laboratory department also received 2,783 individuals while 2,952 were provided with medications.

KSrelief is also supporting a nutrition project for children under the age of five and pregnant women and nursing mothers in the Yemeni governorates of Aden, Lahij, Taiz, Hodeidah, Hadramout, Hajjah and Marib.

The project, which provides therapeutic feeding, health care and counseling, has helped 29,976 people in one week.

KSrelief has also continued rolling out water supply and environmental projects in the Hodeidah governorate.

In one week, 301,000 liters of drinking water and 287,000 liters of non-potable water were pumped into tanks across the region.

Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief assistance. In total, the center has completed 629 projects in Yemen at a total cost of more than $3.9 billion.

The center’s programs cover food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, emergency aid and nutrition.

In Jordan, the Saudi center continues to provide medical services to Syrian refugees in Zaatari camp. The clinics received 513 patients in one day. It is a small part of the humanitarian assistance that KSrelief provides to Syrian refugees on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

The clinics also delivered monthly medicines to those with chronic diseases — who suffer from blood pressure diseases, diabetes, asthma and endocrine diseases — providing medical services for elderly and immobile patients who cannot get to the KSrelief clinics.


Saudi Arabia to host multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2025’ military exercise

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to host multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2025’ military exercise

  • Forces from 15 countries will take part, with focus on current and emerging threats
  • Tactical operations seek to enhance combat readiness in electronic warfare 

RIYADH: The “Spears of Victory 2025” military exercise will begin next week at the Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exercise will run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6, and feature participation from 15 countries, underscoring the global commitment to strengthening military collaboration.

Countries contributing forces include Bahrain, Greece, France, Qatar, the UK, US, UAE, and Pakistan. Seven additional nations — Australia, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, South Korea, and Spain — will take part as observers, SPA added.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, the exercise commander, said the aim was to enhance combat readiness, foster the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and unify the concept of joint military action.

The exercise will focus on addressing current and emerging threats, advancing tactical capabilities, and promoting joint operational strategies, he added.

Participating forces will engage in complex tactical operations designed to simulate threats in an advanced electronic warfare environment, according to SPA.

These operations will integrate branches of Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, the Ministry of the National Guard, and the Presidency of State Security, alongside military contingents from other nations with active forces on the ground.


King Abdulaziz University hosts National Development Fund’s governor at panel discussion

Updated 24 January 2025
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King Abdulaziz University hosts National Development Fund’s governor at panel discussion

  • Stephen Groff looks at achieving aims of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University hosted Stephen Groff, the National Development Fund’s governor, in a panel discussion at the Academic Dialogue Table organized by the Faculty of Economics and Administration.

Groff discussed the role of the NDF and the broader development ecosystem in achieving Saudi Vision 2030, in an event also attended by Dr. Tareef Al-Aama, the university’s president.

King Abdulaziz University hosts NDF Governor at “Academic Dialogue Table”. (Supplied)

Groff said that the fund aimed to enhance developmental impact and improve productivity, highlighting the key strategic priorities and ongoing initiatives being provided to entities under the fund’s umbrella, such as economic diversification and growth stimulation.

He added that the NDF contributed to creating sustainable job opportunities as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship.

FASTFACT

Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale project.

Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale projects in sectors such as transportation, housing, and public utilities through its affiliated entities, including the recently established National Infrastructure Fund.

He explained that the primary mission of the fund, as a development finance institution, was to empower development funds and banks to achieve their sector-specific objectives, beneficiary goals, and activity targets, while focusing on specific areas and ensuring the financial sustainability of development finance entities in the future.

He concluded by stressing the critical role of the fund in reviewing and evaluating the impact of every program, project, or initiative aimed at addressing developmental needs, economic priorities, challenges, and available opportunities.

 


GCC secretary general meets Lebanese president

Joseph Aoun (R) receives Jasem Albudaiwi at the Presidential Palace in Beirut. (Supplied)
Updated 24 January 2025
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GCC secretary general meets Lebanese president

  • Albudaiwi wished the president success in his efforts to uplift the Lebanese people and fulfill their aspirations

BEIRUT: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi met with President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Beirut on Friday.

Albudaiwi wished the president success in his efforts to uplift the Lebanese people and fulfill their aspirations, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.

He added that the meeting reaffirmed the GCC’s unwavering support for Lebanon, stressing its commitment to bolstering Lebanon’s security and stability and contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of the Lebanese people.

 

 


‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards

Updated 24 January 2025
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‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards

  • Launched in 2003 and with more than 186 countries participating, the prestigious WSAs are held biennially and recognize impactful digital initiatives

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the sole Saudi participant to win a 2024 World Summit Award in the Culture and Heritage category, thanks to its “Nusuk” platform.

The project competed against over 900 technical submissions from 160 countries.

Launched in 2003 and with more than 186 countries participating, the prestigious WSAs are held biennially and recognize impactful digital initiatives. They seek to bridge the global digital divide by honoring smart applications and creative online content. The WSAs are a key UN initiative, supported by the International Telecommunication Union.

The award reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering strategy in developing innovative technological solutions aimed at enhancing pilgrims’ experiences and highlighting cultural and heritage values.

FASTFACT

‘Nusuk’ is a suite of innovative technological solutions which facilitate the performance of pilgrimage rituals, address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.

It underlines the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s efforts to drive comprehensive digital transformation, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

“Nusuk” is a suite of innovative technological solutions which facilitate the performance of pilgrimage rituals, address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.

It has already advanced significantly with the development of pioneering systems such as the Nusuk Card, Nusuk Masar and crowd management systems.

It also focuses on highlighting the Prophet’s biography and cultural landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, featuring more than 150 museums, monuments, restaurants, cafes and tourist destinations, among other notable sites that enrich the user’s experience.

Over 400 licensed guides are affiliated with the platform, offering customized excursions throughout the Kingdom to pilgrims.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said it is very proud of its achievement and reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to developing technological solutions that ensured the sustainability of the Hajj and Umrah sectors, facilitating easy access to smart services and ensuring a smooth and tranquil performance of the rituals.

 


Iftar portal opens in Grand Mosque

Updated 24 January 2025
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Iftar portal opens in Grand Mosque

  • The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10

MAKKAH: A dedicated portal to receive applications to provide iftar meal services inside the Grand Mosque during Ramadan has been launched by The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10. It also requires the contracting of an authority-approved catering company and adherence to specified terms and conditions.

The authority has emphasized the need to provide low-calorie meals for individuals with chronic diseases and diabetes, making up 20 percent of individual meals and 30 percent of meals provided by charitable organizations.

Applications can be submitted through the authority’s website by visiting https://iam.alharamain.gov.sa/sso and selecting “iftar meal reservation system.”

Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of either Feb.28 or March 1, depending on moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.