RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced a $30 million grant to support the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund.
Operated under the umbrella of the Islamic Development Bank in coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the AHTF grant will be provided through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the Saudi Fund for Development.
Dr. Samer Al-Jetaily, KSrelief’s director of resources and investment, told Arab News that the money would be used toward “urgent” humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
Officials from the SFD and KSrelief handed over the donation during a signing ceremony held at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The Afghan fund was established by the 57-nation OIC and the IsDB in March.
Al-Jetaily said: “The amount will go directly to the AHTF because there is an urgent need for humanitarian intervention right now in Afghanistan, so it should be an immediate deposit which should reflect in the efforts supporting humanitarian works in Afghanistan.
“There will be a quick action from the OIC so that we can see an impact and results as we know that the situation is deteriorating in Afghanistan. The humanitarian needs overview actually is very critical right now; there is an increase in poverty and people under the poverty line.
“The grant is one of the support efforts provided by Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan, including relief air and land bridges which were implemented to help the Afghan people.
“Afghanistan was also supported over the past decades with a number of projects, including in the humanitarian, health, education, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and food security sectors. The total cost of these projects is more than SR1 billion.
“Saudi Arabia’s support means peace and stability in all regions, in all the states, and one of them is Afghanistan. The grant comes as part of the Kingdom’s mission to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people,” he added.
The fund was established with the aim of reducing the risks of deterioration of the critical humanitarian situation and possible economic collapse in Afghanistan, both of which could affect regional and international peace and stability.
Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and general supervisor of KSrelief, was among officials from the involved organizations present at the signing.
Saudi Arabia has provided Afghanistan with aid worth more than $266 million, through donations and relief programs, including projects focused on health, education, and water and food security.
Saudi Arabia provides $30m grant to support Afghan humanitarian fund
https://arab.news/w953g
Saudi Arabia provides $30m grant to support Afghan humanitarian fund
- KSrelief’s director of resources and investment said the money would be used toward “urgent” humanitarian work in Afghanistan
- The Afghan fund was established by the 57-nation OIC and the IsDB in March
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
- Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
