UK envoy praises Saudi commitment to protecting Red Sea environment

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UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton was visiting Umluj in the Tabuk region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton was visiting Umluj in the Tabuk region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Updated 06 April 2021
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UK envoy praises Saudi commitment to protecting Red Sea environment

  • During visit to coastal town of Umluj, Neil Crompton spoke highly of the recently announced Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives
  • He also spoke of a dolphin rescue video in the Red Sea

LONDON: Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has shared his admiration of the work the Kingdom’s government is doing to protect and preserve the environment.
Speaking from the Red Sea coastal town of Umluj, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Neil Crompton praised Saudi authorities for their commitment to combating climate change through the recently announced Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.
Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week, they aim to cut carbon emissions by 60 percent in the region. To achieve this, they call for partnerships between nations to combat the environmental challenges facing the region. The plans include afforestation projects and efforts to protect the marine environment./
Crompton said an important aspect of the initiatives focuses on protecting the Red Sea environment, including its coral reefs. This is vital to marine life, including dolphins and turtles, which adds to the coast’s appeal as a tourist destination.

“This region is filled with wonderful tourism projects that were recently announced, and they also aim to protect the environment and its diversity and protect these areas for future generations,” said Crompton.
He also highlighted a video that was shared recently on social media showing dozens of dolphins stuck on the beaches of Umluj, which is in the Tabuk region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. As reported by Arab News last month, more than 40 of the mammals were stranded as a result of strong winds and turbulent weather.
Volunteers and several authorities swiftly launched a rescue operation, thanks to which many of the creatures were saved and returned to the waters of the Red Sea. Seven died, however.


KSrelief distributes winter clothes, food in Yemen, Gaza

Updated 8 sec ago
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KSrelief distributes winter clothes, food in Yemen, Gaza

  • Aid comes as regions hit by falling temperatures, heavy rain

LONDON: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed winter clothing to families in Yemen and provided food parcels to displaced Palestinians living in tents in the Gaza Strip.

The humanitarian effort comes amid a cold snap and heavy rain in the two regions.

In Yemen, mostly in the Hadramout valley area, the agency handed out more than 2,000 items of winter clothing.

Since the start of the war in late 2023, KSrelief has dispatched 78 planes and eight ships carrying almost 7,700 tonnes of food, medical supplies and shelter materials to Gaza. More than 900 Saudi trucks have also delivered food and medical equipment to the region.

The agency has delivered 20 ambulances to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and signed agreements totaling $90 million for relief projects in Gaza. It has also carried out airdrops in partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces.