RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has sent more than 130 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine through its relief arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
Two aircraft loaded with aid took off on Thursday from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for Poland’s Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, where packages will be unloaded and forwarded to neighboring Ukraine.
“KSrelief’s air bridge to Ukraine is an important aid mission to assist people in Ukraine. Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, is committed to continuing its efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Ukraine and elsewhere based on our guiding principle of preserving life,” said Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, KSrelief’s supervisor general.
The two cargo planes are carrying 50,000 units of baby milk and more than 16,000 items needed by Ukrainian families and businesses, including large electrical appliances.
The first aircraft, carrying 72 tons of humanitarian aid, departed Riyadh at 5 a.m on Thursday. A second plane took off at noon, carrying 60 tons of aid.
As part of KSrelief’s aid program for Ukraine, the center will carry out 15 deliveries of essential materials, including generators, electronic supplies, refrigerators and baby food canisters.
It comes as a part of aid initiatives led by the Kingdom to alleviate impact of war and disaster on people around the world.
“We will continue to send aid as long as it is needed, and pray for the end of hostilities and their impact on innocent people,” Al-Rabeeah said.
On Oct. 15, 2022, the Kingdom pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which included a joint cooperation program co-signed by KSrelief and Ukraine to provide humanitarian relief worth $100 million.
In August that year, Al-Rabeeah visited a medical transport station in Przemysl, Poland, and called for the urgent supply of medical aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Following his visit, medical and shelter aid worth $10 million was supplied for refugees fleeing Ukraine to neighboring countries in Europe.
KSrelief has also worked with international partners such as the World Health Organization and UNHCR to develop strategic alliances in support of Ukrainian refugees, prioritizing immediate relief and fostering resilience among affected populations.
