Saudi humanitarian efforts transcending continents
As part of its leading humanitarian role, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center launched the “Food Basket” project in several countries across Africa and Asia, aiming to enhance food security for the most vulnerable families and communities. This initiative is part of a series of relief projects implemented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide assistance to those affected around the world.
Background on the role of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center was established in May 2015 by the generous directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to serve as the Kingdom's international humanitarian arm. The Center aims to provide humanitarian and relief assistance to those in need worldwide, based on the principles of neutrality and impartiality. Since its inception, the Center has implemented thousands of projects in dozens of countries, covering vital sectors such as food security, health, shelter, education, and water and sanitation, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as one of the world's largest donors of humanitarian aid.
Distribution of food baskets in Africa
The launch encompassed several African countries, with the project being inaugurated in the Guinean capital, Conakry, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Guinea, Dr. Fahad bin Eid Al-Rashidi. The project aims to distribute 8,400 complete food baskets, benefiting approximately 50,000 individuals in the cities of Conakry, Dabirika, Mamou, Kankan, and Nzérékoré.
In the Republic of Djibouti, the center launched the “Food Basket 5” project in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador, Metrek bin Abdullah Al-Ajaleen, and the Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, Olfa Ismail Abdou. The project aims to distribute 6,715 food baskets, benefiting approximately 40,000 of the most vulnerable individuals.
The project was also launched in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in the capital Nouakchott, in the presence of Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Raqabi and Assistant Commissioner for Food Security, Lamam Abdou. The project will distribute 8,402 food baskets, benefiting approximately 42,000 individuals in various provinces.
Aid arrives in Cambodia, Asia
The center's efforts extended to the Kingdom of Cambodia, where the "Food Basket 5" project was launched in the capital, Phnom Penh. The launch was attended by Abdullah Al-Houshan, Chargé d'Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Vietnam and non-resident Ambassador to Cambodia, and Dr. Othman Hassan, Cambodian Prime Minister in charge of Islamic Affairs. The project aims to distribute 8,850 food baskets, benefiting more than 53,000 individuals in nine different regions, thus contributing to meeting the basic nutritional needs of vulnerable families.
The importance and expected impact of the project
The “Food Basket” project is of paramount importance as it comes amidst global economic challenges that affect the food security of millions of people. By providing baskets containing essential food items, the center directly contributes to alleviating the suffering of families, achieving their livelihood stability, and supporting their resilience in the face of crises. At the international level, these initiatives bolster efforts to achieve the second UN Sustainable Development Goal: “Zero Hunger.” They also reflect the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the values of humanitarian solidarity and its active role in addressing global crises.
