Saudi Arabia Raises $54 Million for Somali People

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Saudi National Campaign for the Relief of the Somali People announced that it has raised $54 million in relief funding for the people suffering from famine in Somalia. In addition to financial assistance, donations including food, shelter materials and medical supplies have been distributed to the people of Somalia.

"The Kingdom's contribution to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people is in accordance with its pledge to help those in need around the world," said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir. "We hope that the people affected by the famine in Somalia will be able to overcome this tragedy."

The assistance campaign was initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who urged all Saudis to donate generously to the Somali people. The relief funds will be distributed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and, according to the organization, donations will be used to feed Somali children suffering from malnutrition.

In July, Saudi Arabia pledged $50 million in emergency humanitarian assistance for Somali refugees to be used for food supplies in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) and $10 million in medicine and vaccinations in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Saudi Arabia is a valued partner of the World Food Programme and has donated more than $600 million to the United Nations food agency during the past five years.  On August 17, the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) pledged $350 million for a Somalia anti-starvation program.

For more information on Saudi Arabia please visit www.saudiembassy.net or follow the Embassy on Twitter @SaudiEmbassyUSA.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office

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