RIYADH: The fifth airlift relief plane, operated by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, arrived on Saturday at Damascus International Airport in Syria.

The plane, which left from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, carried food, shelter and medical supplies to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people.

The humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Jan. 1, Saudi Arabia launched the delivery by air initiative with two planes to provide essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said that the aid delivered by air would be followed by aid delivered by land in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.

According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.

Meanwhile, KSrelief continues its humanitarian efforts in Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, The Gambia and Bangladesh, benefiting thousands.

In Gaza, KSrelief distributed 4,494 shelter kits in one day, providing essential materials such as blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils and water containers to displaced families during a wave of cold weather.

In Pakistan, 1,000 food baskets were distributed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in a single day, aiding 5,947 individuals affected by flash floods.

In Yemen, KSrelief recently concluded its CPR training program in Aden governorate, conducting five sessions for 57 participants to improve medical skills.

In Abyan governorate, KSrelief distributed 2,754 food baskets in one day, helping 19,278 people.

In The Gambia, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program examined 3,655 patients, distributed 750 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 196 eye surgeries in Farafenni.

In Bangladesh, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor program in Rajshahi examined 4,253 patients, distributed 1,615 pairs of eyeglasses and performed 503 eye surgeries.

Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,208 projects worth more than $7.2 billion in 105 countries, in cooperation with 458 local, regional and international partners.

The agency’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, emergency aid, nutrition, protection, early recovery, logistics and telecommunications.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,541 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

According to an official report, a total of 11,402 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,775 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,364 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 953 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 58 percent were Ethiopian, 40 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 129 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 27 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.