WASHINGTON: Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the royal court and general supervisor of the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) recently highlighted the humanitarian efforts and work by the Kingdom represented by the center to help those in need all over the world.
Al-Rabeeah met with representatives of the international and American media at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington and stressed that the Kingdom provides humanitarian aid without discrimination.
He noted that the Kingdom has helped people in need in 38 different countries on four continents.
The KSRelief chief explained the special role of the Kingdom, represented by the center, in the humanitarian field, its impartial actions and abidance by international humanitarian law that conforms to Islamic Sharia, in seeking to preserve dignity and integrity of those in need and ease their pain.
He said that the country that has benefitted most from the Kingdom’s humanitarian aid is Yemen. Houthi militias have besieged cities and blocked medical and relief items. However, that has not thwarted the center’s pursuit to assist all Yemenis.
Al-Rabeeah talked about the challenges faced by KSRelief operations in Yemen, especially the blockade enforced by armed Houthi militias in many areas, preventing aid from reaching its destination. These militias, he stressed, looted large amounts of aid destined for the Yemeni people between 2015 and 2017, including 65 shiploads of aid and 124 relief convoys.
The Kingdom granted more than $76 million to the Yemeni Ministry of Health, the Yemeni people, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, as well as 550 tons of medications distributed through all Yemen’s regions.
Al-Rabeeah noted that the center targeted women and children in Yemen by implementing many projects in the field of education, security, and food and water supplies.
The rate of the spread of cholera in Yemen decreased over time thanks to the center’s efforts, he said.
He also said that the Kingdom has received and assisted Syrian refugees as its guests and supported millions of other refugees in nearby countries, stressing the Kingdom’s concern about the humanitarian situation in Iraq, Somalia and Myanmar.
The head of KSRelief noted that aid provided by the Kingdom in 2014 reached 1.9 percent of the country’s GDP, which exceeded the rate of 0.07 percent decided by the UN. The Kingdom also received refugees from Yemen and Syria and treated them as guests.
Saudi Arabia provides humanitarian aid without discrimination: KSRelief chief
Saudi Arabia provides humanitarian aid without discrimination: KSRelief chief
Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration
- Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower
DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.
Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.
Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.
There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.
“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.
“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”
Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.
Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.
A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.
Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.
