Saudi aid agency launches Ramadan project in 19 countries

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, inaugurated the SR37 million ($10 million) “Eta’am” initiative on Sunday. (SPA)
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Updated 28 March 2022
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Saudi aid agency launches Ramadan project in 19 countries

  • Al-Rabeeah stressed the keenness of the Kingdom to contribute to relief efforts, noting that it ranked third worldwide in 2021 in providing humanitarian aid

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center will distribute 156,993 food baskets across 19 countries during the holy month of Ramadan.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, inaugurated the SR37 million ($10 million) “Eta’am” initiative on Sunday.

The project aims to reach 901,463 people.

Al-Rabeeah said that the project comes as part of the continuous humanitarian aid provided by the Saudi government to impoverished people around the world.

He added that it will support food needs and improve living conditions for the neediest groups in several countries during Ramadan.

Al-Rabeeah stressed the keenness of the Kingdom to contribute to relief efforts, noting that it ranked third worldwide in 2021 in providing humanitarian aid.

He said that since KSrelief’s founding in May 2015, it has launched more than 1,920 projects in vital sectors across 79 countries, spending more than $5.6 billion in the process.

According to a recent report, the countries and territories that have benefited the most from KSrelief aid are Yemen ($4 billion), Palestine ($368 million), Syria ($325 million) and Somalia ($210 million).

The center’s programs cover food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, logistics, nutrition and emergency telecommunication.

 


Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

Updated 26 February 2026
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Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

  • The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by studies covering 8 marine habitats

TABUK: Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a science-based model aimed at achieving a 30 percent net positive conservation benefit across its tourism destinations by 2040. 

The framework is now available for global adoption, according to a statement released by RSG.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Red Sea Global is the multi-project developer behind ambitious regenerative tourism destinations like “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA.” 

As a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the company aims to diversify the national economy while setting new global benchmarks for sustainable, nature-positive development.

CEO John Pagano stated that openly sharing this detailed approach will help elevate the global tourism sector and secure a healthier environment for future generations.
 

Map showing the boundaries of the Red Sea Zone. (Graphic from the RSG report)

The cornerstone of this initiative is the proprietary SIIG Model, a four-step framework:
• Survey: Establish biodiversity baselines and monitor long-term changes.
• Identify: Assess risks to priority habitats and species.
• Intervene: Execute evidence-based actions, such as regulating fishing and enhancing natural habitats.
• Gain: Measure and verify biodiversity improvements.

The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by extensive 2022–2023 environmental baseline studies covering eight marine habitats and priority species groups during 2022 and 2023. 

A major intervention is the 5,015-square-kilometer Fishery Management Area in Al-Wajh Lagoon. The plan reserves 38 percent of the area for priority conservation—protecting 62 percent of local coral reefs—while allocating 61 percent for sustainable fishing.

According to scientific modeling, eliminating fishing in high-protection zones could increase reef fish populations by 113 percent, sharks and rays by 72 percent, and marine mammals by 24 percent. These measures are expected to boost coral resilience, support ecosystem recovery, and protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and seabirds.
Ihab Kindi, RSG’s Red Sea Destination Executive Director, called the data-driven model a practical roadmap for large-scale marine recovery. The complete methodology is available in the new report, “The SIIG Model: A Roadmap Toward Achieving Measurable Conservation Gains.”