Saudi Arabia deposits second $250m tranche of grant for Yemen

Yemenis shop at a market in the southern city of Aden. (File/AFP)
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Updated 11 February 2024
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Saudi Arabia deposits second $250m tranche of grant for Yemen

  • The aid is to help the Yemeni government counter its budget deficit, support economic reforms, and assist salaries, wages, and operating expenses
  • It is the second instalment of a $1.2 billion grant announced in August 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has deposited a second instalment of a grant for Yemen worth $250 million, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The aid is to help the Yemeni government counter its budget deficit, support economic reforms and food security, and assist salaries, wages, and operating expenses. It is the second instalment of a $1.2 billion grant announced in August 2023.

“The second batch of the grant to support addressing the budget deficit for the Yemeni government was transferred to the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden, amounting to $250 million to support salaries, wages, expenses, and food security,” the Saudi ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber said on social media platform X.

The support comes at the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and is an affirmation of the Kingdom’s keenness to achieve security, stability, and development for the Yemeni people, SPA said.

It also aims to strengthen the Yemeni government’s budget, increase the purchasing power of Yemeni citizens, and support the economic recovery of Yemen.

The Kingdom announced that it would grant Yemen $1.2 billion in economic aid in August 2023, bringing the total amount of direct development and economic Saudi aid to the country to $11.2 billion between 2012 and 2023.


Australian deputy PM highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance during visit

Updated 19 December 2024
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Australian deputy PM highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance during visit

DUABI: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Donald Marles underlined the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key partner for Australia, highlighting its position as the country’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East.

In a statement issued by his office on Thursday, Marles said his visit to Saudi Arabia is focused on enhancing cooperation within the G20 framework and other multilateral institutions, as well as reaffirming Australia’s commitment to a rules-based global order.

Marles described Saudi Arabia as a pivotal partner in addressing shared global challenges, emphasizing the significance of deepening economic and diplomatic ties. He added that the visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues for collaboration and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.


KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan

Updated 19 December 2024
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KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian projects in Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan continue to benefit individuals needing medical and therapeutic intervention.

In Yemen, KSrelief provided services through the Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center in Aden to 562 patients in November as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare sector and help individuals who require prostheses.

The center also delivered 1,395 services, including the manufacturing, fitting, and rehabilitation of prosthetic limbs, along with physical therapy and specialized consultations.

Also in Aden, a team of medical volunteers undertook an adult urology surgery campaign from Dec. 15 to 22, with the nine specialists performing 15 procedures on patients. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen

In Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief volunteers fitted prosthetic limbs for 32 Ukrainian refugees between Dec. 8 to 15.

In Sudan’s Port Sudan, volunteers from KSrelief ran a pediatric surgical program and has successfully examined 15 children and performed seven successful surgeries so far.


‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures

Updated 19 December 2024
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‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures

  • Art, music and folklore to feature at Riyadh event until Dec. 31
  • Over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists will be on display

RIYADH: The Kingdom launched the second “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday to celebrate the rich cultures of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Organized by the Culture Ministry, “Common Ground” features a variety of activities including art, music and folklore.

The ministry invited residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”

The festival, which runs until Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.

The event includes a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, for his contribution to art and literature, which includes novels, plays, songs and screenplays.

The opening night featured songs by renowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir. And Thursday will have several seminars led by heritage experts.

There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists on display at the festival.

Meanwhile, in AlUla on Wednesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for discussions on regional events.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

Updated 19 December 2024
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

  • Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.

By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.

The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.


Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Updated 18 December 2024
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Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.