NEW YORK: KSrelief has doubled its humanitarian efforts in Sudan over the past year, the head of the Saudi aid agency told a meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the royal court and KSrelief supervisor general, said that the Sudanese people “are working to overcome enormous challenges, and deserve much from us.”
During the meeting, titled “The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” Al-Rabeeah said that Saudi Arabia recognizes its duty toward Sudan, and intensive efforts have been made since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis to restore hope to its people.
“The Jeddah Declaration was the first step, aiming to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of urgent relief aid. The efforts of the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan group have also recently helped thousands of needy people in Darfur,” he said.
“However, the recent escalation of violence in some areas has worsened the situation, forcing millions to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they own, and sometimes even family members.
“The Kingdom has provided over $3 billion in support to Sudan, including $132 million in humanitarian aid distributed across various geographical areas and humanitarian sectors,” Al-Rabeeah said.
Before the crisis in April 2023, KSrelief focused on implementing sustainable interventions. However, the worsening humanitarian conditions have undermined these efforts, prompting a shift to providing immediate assistance.
“KSrelief has doubled its efforts in Sudan, implementing more than 70 humanitarian projects since April 2023 at a cost exceeding $73 million in collaboration with UN organizations and other humanitarian groups.”
He highlighted the series of Saudi humanitarian air and sea missions organized by KSrelief to address urgent challenges. The missions are funded through government and public support as part of the KSrelief national aid campaign for the people of Sudan.
Al-Rabeeah said that despite KSrelief’s efforts, challenges persist, and collective action is needed to provide unrestricted humanitarian aid, and ensure a sustainable, coordinated response with safe and unhindered access to conflict-affected areas.
Concluding his speech, the KSrelief chief said: “As a humanitarian community, we must deal with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan away from political considerations. It is a humanitarian tragedy that requires transcending divisions, and together, we can make a real change that ensures all Sudanese people enjoy equal opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
He said that the Kingdom continues to do everything possible to end the crisis, and achieve stability and security for Sudan and its people.
Kingdom ‘doubling aid efforts’ in Sudan, KSrelief chief tells UN
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Kingdom ‘doubling aid efforts’ in Sudan, KSrelief chief tells UN
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said that the Sudanese people “are working to overcome enormous challenges, and deserve much from us”
- “The Jeddah Declaration was the first step, aiming to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of urgent relief aid,” he said
Saudi-Qatari security, military committee meeting held in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council’s Security and Military Committee in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, to achieve the aspirations of the two nations’ leaders and people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Saud praised the efforts made by both sides to achieve joint initiatives.
Saudi-French writing residency yields ‘Saleeg and Baguette’ play at Riyadh Theater Festival
- Work developed by young Saudi playwright Ghada Aboud
- She seeks to promote ‘understanding’ between cultures
RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival, concluding on Dec. 26, has shone a spotlight on “Saleeg and Baguette,” a play that presents a fusion of the cultures of Saudi Arabia and France, and which comments on the financial tribulations of a married couple.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The play was among the works selected by a committee of experts for its relevance and artistic merit.
The thought-provoking show was developed by young Saudi playwright Ghada Aboud, who received a grant from the French Ministry of Culture to take part in a Franco-Saudi artistic residency at La Chartreuse, the National Centre for Performance Writing.
Aboud told Arab News: “I am a Saudi writer who has dedicated her life to publishing novels, films and plays that help people empathize with themselves and others and reconcile their contradictions, because in the end we are all human.”
The play focuses on the unstable marriage of Rima and Khaled, a young couple facing financial difficulties linked to the hotel Rima inherited from her mother.
Throughout the play, the couple have to overcome the tensions and pressures of their precarious economic situation.
Their story highlights the difficulties inherent in modern relationships, where financial problems can exacerbate conflicts and test the strength of their union.
Through poignant dialogue and tense moments, the writer explores themes of love, responsibility and survival, while reflecting on the expectations and dreams of young couples that are often dashed.
Faced with their own personal problems and frustrations, the characters see the hotel as a miraculous solution to their worries. They believe that by investing in this new venture they will escape their everyday difficulties and make a fresh start.
Speaking about her inspiration for the story, Aboud said: “In the current financial climate, pressures are weighing heavily on individuals, particularly couples.
“This can lead to the breakdown of marriages and families. I chose to test the couple’s bond by exposing them to a financial problem. Will their marriage be strengthened or broken by financial difficulties?”
However, the hotel, instead of solving their problems, exposes new layers of complexity and conflict.
“Writing is about sharing experiences and cultural influences on creativity. My residency at La Chartreuse with Odyssee allowed me to exchange my culture with French theater artists and to experience French theater and culture,” Aboud added.
“It’s important to me to create a narrative that promotes understanding between cultures, particularly France. Given the cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France, I’m looking to show the common human elements between the different nationalities.”
Aboud uses dark humor as a tool to explore the complexities of married life and human relationships. By tackling serious themes in a light-hearted way, she creates a space where the audience can reflect on sensitive subjects without feeling overwhelmed.
“My aim as an author is to make the audience laugh and cry. I try to balance bittersweet and sweet themes through dark comedy. This creates empathy, self-pity, reflection and reconciliation,” she said.
“My dream is to present my work to French audiences,” Aboud added. “I will try to find ways to present it in France and highlight the shared human experiences between Saudi Arabia and France.
“I hope to draw attention to the financial burdens and problems of marriage, as well as the fusion of Saudi and French music.”
KSrelief’s health aid benefits six countries
- The center’s projects supported thousands of people across Turkiye, Yemen, Poland, Nigeria, Sudan and Mauritania
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has health projects supporting thousands of people across Turkiye, Yemen, Poland, Nigeria, Sudan and Mauritania.
In Turkiye, KSrelief recently completed a week-long neurosurgery project in Hatay, delivering 1,062 services to 403 patients.
In Yemen’s Hadramout governorate, a 14-member team provided orthopedic care, examined 152 patients, performed 59 surgeries, and completed 68 physiotherapy sessions in one week.
The Aden governorate had a week-long urology project with nine specialists examining 53 people and performing 109 surgeries.
In Poland, KSrelief fitted prosthetic limbs and provided rehabilitation for 32 Ukrainian refugees in Rzeszow in one week, utilizing innovative Direct Socket technology.
In Nigeria, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor project staff treated 4,000 patients, performed 423 eye surgeries, and distributed 1,000 prescription glasses.
In Sudan, a week-long pediatric surgery project in Port Sudan had specialists treat 36 children and complete 54 surgeries.
In Mauritania, a 10-day urological project in Nouakchott had eight doctors perform 80 specialized surgeries.
Creative writing program to train gifted Saudi students
- The program, involving 182 students from across the Kingdom, takes place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, with an e-learning option for broader participation
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has launched the second Generation of Literature program to develop creative writing skills among gifted students.
The program, involving 182 students from across the Kingdom, takes place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, with an e-learning option for broader participation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, the program aims to nurture literary talent, refine skills and provide hands-on training in writing.
Focused on middle school students, the program explores genres such as science fiction, detective stories, children’s stories, short stories and essays.
It enhances linguistic abilities like reading comprehension, language adaptation, metaphor interpretation and artistic imagery creation, the SPA reported.
The program also aims to improve research and investigation skills, including observation, comparison and analysis, while fostering problem-solving, critical thinking and self-confidence.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa hosts mobile robotics challenge
- The event brought together 40 talented young men and women from across the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Saudi Skills National Competition launched its mobile robotics challenge in Al-Ahsa on Tuesday, bringing together 40 talented young men and women from across the Kingdom.
The participants are from six leading educational institutions. The challenge is organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corp.
Abdullah Al-Dahilan, senior competition secretary, said that the five-day event serves as a gateway to broader opportunities, with winners qualifying for Gulf, Asian and international championships, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Contestants are being evaluated by certified experts and judges from Saudi Arabia and Russia, the SPA reported.
Successful participants will represent the Kingdom in regional and international competitions in 2025 as part of the WorldSkills Competition framework.
“Our mission is to nurture local and national talents through programs that meet international standards,” Al-Dahilan said.
Similar competitions are taking place at technical colleges, institutes and schools across major cities including Riyadh, Makkah, Qassim, Jubail and Al-Ahsa.
The competitions cover various technical fields, from electrical installations and electronics to graphic design, web design, mobile robotics, fashion design and welding.
Under the guidance of 16 trainers, participants will complete 50 hours of intensive training during the competition.
The event will end with an awards ceremony recognizing three winners in both junior and youth categories.
