Saudi aid agency ramps up aid efforts in Yemen, Lebanon, Somalia, Bangladesh
Updated 10 September 2022
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has stepped up assistance programs in Yemen, Lebanon, Somalia and Bangladesh with food aid and medical projects.
KSrelief recently distributed 80,250 kg of food baskets in Yemen’s Taiz governorate, benefiting 4,500 individuals. The center also distributed 85,600 kg of food baskets in the Marib governorate, benefiting 4,800 needy persons.
KSrelief also distributed 107 tons of food baskets to needy people in the Shabwah governorate, benefiting 6,000 people.
These efforts are part of a relief operation to distribute 19,2000 food baskets weighing more than 20,000 tons to struggling citizens in 15 of Yemen’s 20 governorates.
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2,086
KSrelief has implemented 2,086 projects worth almost $6 billion in 86 countries.
KSrelief has also continued rolling out water supply and environmental projects in the Hodeidah governorate. In one week, more than 367,500 liters of drinking water and more than 406,000 liters of non-potable water was pumped into tanks across the region.
Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief’s assistance programs. The center has implemented 724 projects in Yemen worth more than $4.1 billion.
Meanwhile, KSrelief continues to distribute the third phase of bread charity to refugees in Lebanon’s Akkar governorate and Al-Minya district.
Some 20,000 bundles of bread are being distributed every day to 10,000 needy Syrian and Palestinian refugee families.
The KSrelief-funded ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Society in the Miniyeh region, in the country’s north, carried out 63 emergency missions during the last week.
The missions included transporting patients to and from hospitals and providing ambulance services to those injured in traffic accidents in the city of Miniyeh.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 4,000 food baskets to displaced people and those affected by drought in Jubaland state, benefiting 24,000 individuals.
The minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management of Jubaland state, Ahmed Hassan Omar, expressed his thanks and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for standing by the people of Somalia.
In Bangladesh, KSrelief’s medical team has successfully performed as many as 373 eye surgeries in the province of Nojan. In four days, 5,500 persons had eye tests, and 1,691 medical glasses were distributed.
Saudi Arabia launches key projects at World Defense Show in Riyadh
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveils initiatives
New firms set up and deals inked at event running to Feb. 12
Updated 48 min 2 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveiled new initiatives and signed several agreements on the opening of the third World Defense Show in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Khalid opened the show on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, the five-day event will run until Feb. 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.
The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.
The GAMI’s Gov. Ahmad Al-Ohali said the show reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, and fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.
The event brings together official delegations, government entities, and leading international companies specializing in the defense and security sectors. (SPA)
Strategic agreements and major launches
At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Group pavilion, Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives.
New entities: The inauguration of the SAMI Land Co., SAMI Autonomous Co., and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program and the HEET Program.
International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development on advanced military research.
Defense deals: The minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Defense Minister Prince Khalid signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia. (SPA)
Technological debuts and innovations
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors.
AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion.
The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.
Public Security’s advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle is displayed at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion. (SPA)
By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom.
Smart helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet.
Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.
The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the helmet reduces response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.
The smart helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations. (SPA)
Border security: The General Directorate of the Border Guard showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.
It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command-and-control systems.
Border Guard's ntegrated security system features radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure. (SPA)
Counter-terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.
Visitors were briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism.
On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed and praised the coalition’s pivotal role in coordinating local and international security efforts.
A view of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition pavilion. (SPA)
Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event’s air shows and military operations.
At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities’ operational processes.
World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey said that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event’s growing importance on the international stage.
NCM's latest meteorological technologies and systems serve both the military and civilian sectors
