KSrelief gives $15m to UNRWA aid plan in Gaza

Women sit with children outside tents at a school run by UNRWA. (File/AFP)
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Updated 14 November 2023
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KSrelief gives $15m to UNRWA aid plan in Gaza

  • Initiative will deliver food, shelter, non-food items, medication, water and sanitation supplies to

LONDON: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center contributed $15 million to the first phase of a UN aid plan for Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The humanitarian response plan, launched by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, will deliver food, shelter, non-food items, medication, water and sanitation supplies to the besieged enclave.

It will be implemented through a partnership between the two organizations aimed at easing the critical situation in Gaza.

The Saudi contribution through KSrelief comes as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to standing with the Palestinian people.

So far, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 11,000 people — the vast majority civilians — and denied 2.2 million people access to basic items such as food, water, fuel and electricity.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom has raised more than SR491 million ($131 million) for Palestinians in Gaza through a fundraising campaign.

The donation scheme was launched earlier this month under the direction of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
 


Curtain rises on Qiddiya studios in boost for Kingdom's film industry 

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Curtain rises on Qiddiya studios in boost for Kingdom's film industry 

  • The studios feature two high-spec, purpose-built soundstages, flexible workshops, and fully integrated production facilities designed for large-scale international and regional productions

JEDDAH: Qiddiya Investment Co. has announced the opening of PlayMaker Studios in Qiddiya City, marking the launch of Saudi Arabia’s latest film production hub. 

The opening is a milestone for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing film and creative industries, adding strategically to the production infrastructure available in the country. 

The studios feature two high-spec, purpose-built soundstages, flexible workshops, and fully integrated production facilities designed for large-scale international and regional productions. 

Modern production offices and on-site support amenities are also available, providing a seamless, end-to-end production environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. 

With strong demand for studio space, construction has begun on two additional world-class soundstages, scheduled for completion in 2026, which will expand PlayMaker Studios’ capacity and allow it to host multiple major productions simultaneously. 

The company has established a dedicated on-the-ground team to support producers with permitting, logistics, and operations. 

PlayMaker Studios also offers streamlined access to Saudi Arabia’s 40 percent production cash rebate, one of the world’s most competitive incentives, the SPA added. 

As part of its long-term strategy, the studio will introduce dedicated post-production, visual effects, volumetric, and music facilities, further strengthening the Kingdom’s creative and production ecosystem. 

The complex is set to become both a creative powerhouse and a central pillar of Qiddiya City’s entertainment offering. 

Abdullah Aldawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Co., said: “PlayMaker Studios is a cornerstone of Qiddiya City’s ambition and builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing success in the creative industries. 

"It strengthens this momentum and advances our vision to create a world-class destination where innovation, culture, and entertainment converge, and where the global film industry can find a new home in the Kingdom.” 

Located at the heart of Qiddiya City — the world’s first destination where culture, sport, and creativity converge — PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh, offering producers integrated logistics, premium accommodation for production teams, and direct access to a dynamic entertainment environment designed to inspire world-class content creation.