Saudi relief arrives for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye

Saudi relief workers pose for a photo next to the plane carrying urgent food and aid for earthquake victims from Saudi Arabia at Adana Airport, Turkiye on February 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy: KSrelief)
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Updated 10 February 2023
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Saudi relief arrives for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye

  • Bodies lay wrapped in blankets, rugs and tarps in streets as death toll tops 20,000
  • The new figure included over 17,600 people in Turkey and more than 3,300 in Syria

RIYADH: Relief planes carrying urgent food and aid from Saudi Arabia have arrived at Adana Airport to support earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye.

The King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid told Arab News on Thursday: “The first Saudi relief plane arrived at Adana Airport in Turkiye this morning as part of the Saudi air bridge.

“Later, a second Saudi relief plane arrived at Adana Airport, carrying 98 tons of relief materials, including food baskets, tents, shelter bags, blankets and rugs, in addition to medical materials.

“This aid is within the framework of the humanitarian and relief efforts provided by Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, the KSrelief, to support the affected groups in various parts of the world in the various crises and tribulations that they are going through.”

KSrelief on Wednesday launched a national campaign to support those affected by the earthquakes which hit Syria and Turkiye on Monday, in implementation of the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, said on Wednesday: “Under the directives of the king and the crown prince, we are launching the National Campaign for the Earthquake Victims in Syria and Turkiye. These generous directives embody the noble humanitarian efforts of the Kingdom’s leadership and people.

“KSrelief, in partnership with relevant Saudi authorities, is supporting everyone who was injured and otherwise affected by this event.

“This national campaign will collect donations through the Sahem donation website portal. The public can also donate by direct transfer to KSrelief’s dedicated bank accounts.

“Donations received even before this launch have reached more than SR13 million, which certainly reflects the generosity and humanity of the Saudi people.”

He added: “We are ensuring that through this campaign many projects in various sectors will be implemented, including a relief airlift to be launched within the next few hours.

“Shelter, medical and food aid will be sent through the airlift, along with rescue teams traveling to earthquake-affected areas to save the lives of the injured.”

Al-Rabeeah said rapid intervention teams, emergency medical groups, and volunteer Saudi cadres were being transported to the area to help relieve the suffering of the people affected in Syria and Turkiye.


King Salman Arabic academy launches ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ digital learning platform

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King Salman Arabic academy launches ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ digital learning platform

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” educational platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The digital initiative aims to teach Arabic to both native and non-native speakers through a flexible, interactive learning experience, combining accredited academic content with modern technologies and supporting learners of different levels and goals.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, said the platform marks a qualitative step in the digital development of Arabic language education and aligns with the academy’s mission to strengthen Arabic’s presence in modern learning environments.

He added that the project is part of a series of initiatives supported by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and reflects the leadership’s commitment to empowering Arabic locally and globally through trusted digital tools.

Al-Washmi said the platform offers advanced digital solutions for individuals and institutions, with programs designed to meet diverse learning needs and objectives.

It provides integrated language programs across five levels, from beginner to advanced, as well as specialized courses in professional fields such as administration, healthcare and sports.

Learners benefit from flexible self-learning options supported by standardized assessment tools and comprehensive tests, the SPA reported.

“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” features an interactive design with customized content for different learner groups, a multilingual interface supporting five languages and continuous technical support.

Educational institutions are also provided with advanced tools to manage content, organize learners and monitor performance through analytical reports, the SPA added.

The launch is part of the academy’s broader efforts to expand Arabic language education globally through innovative digital solutions, enhancing learning efficiency and strengthening Arabic’s presence in education, culture and digital communication.

The initiative also aligns with the Human Capability Development Program’s goals to build an advanced Arabic digital education ecosystem that combines academic quality with technological innovation.