GENEVA: The United Nations said on Monday it is seeking $6 billion for Sudan this year from international donors to help ease suffering in what it called one of the most devastating crises of our times, characterised by mass displacement and growing famine.
The UN appeal represents a rise of more than 40 percent from last year’s for Sudan at a time when aid budgets around the world are under increasing strain, partly due to a pause in funding announced by US President Donald Trump last month that has affected life-saving programs across the globe.
But the UN says the funds are necessary because the impact of the 22-month war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — that has already displaced a fifth of its population and stoked severe hunger among around half its population — looks set to worsen.
“Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of shocking proportions,” said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher ahead of the launch. “Famine is taking hold. An epidemic of sexual violence rages. Children are being killed and injured. The suffering is appalling.”
Famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur, the UN statement said, adding that this was set to worsen with continued fighting and the collapse of basic services.
One of the famine-stricken camps was attacked by the RSF last week as the paramilitary group tries to tighten its grip on its Darfur stronghold.
While some aid agencies say they have received waivers from Washington to provide aid in Sudan, uncertainty remains on the extent of coverage for providing famine relief.
The UN plan aims to reach nearly 21 million people within the country, making it the most ambitious humanitarian response so far for 2025, and requires $4.2 billion — the rest being for those displaced by the conflict.
UN seeks $6 billion to ease ‘appalling’ suffering in Sudan
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UN seeks $6 billion to ease ‘appalling’ suffering in Sudan
- Appeal represents 40 percent increase from 2024 amid tight budgets
- UN plan is most ambitious globally, aiming to reach 21 mln people
Tabuk entrepreneurs, freelancers receive $61.2m from Social Development Bank in 2024
JEDDAH: Entrepreneurs and freelancers in Tabuk received over SR230 million ($61.2 million) in funding from the Social Development Bank in 2024, boosting established businesses and independent work in the region.
The government-owned financial institution announced that in 2024 it provided over SR75 million in financing to more than 200 businesses in the northwestern region and helped 4,000 freelancers with funding, totaling over SR155 million, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
SDB’s Regional Director Hamed Al-Anzi highlighted that this support is part of the bank’s efforts to enhance entrepreneurship and help individuals achieve financial independence through their own businesses.
The support aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which includes raising the contribution of small and medium enterprises to 35 percent of the gross domestic product by the end of the decade.
Speaking during a discussion panel at the “Diwaniya of the Chamber” event organized by the Tabuk Chamber of Commerce, Al-Anzi emphasized that SDB is working to offer a range of financial products targeting youth of both genders who wish to launch their own businesses, as well as specialized programs to support SMEs, which, he said, play a vital role in the development of the national economy.
He also emphasized that SDB and the National Entrepreneurship Institute, known as Riyadah, are partnering to empower young entrepreneurs to launch their businesses, creating job opportunities for the local community.
The regional director further encouraged aspiring business owners to make use of the digital platforms provided by supporting entities, which offer easy access to financing, training programs, and specialized consultations.
The session, attended by several regional businesspeople, concluded with a discussion on the challenges of freelancing and the requirements for starting new companies, highlighting the positive impact these initiatives have on Tabuk’s growing economy.
Supporting freelancers is crucial for the nation’s economy. In 2023, independent workers contributed SR72.5 billion to the GDP, representing 2 percent of the country’s total economic output.
As freelancing continues to grow, with over 2.25 million individuals registered on freelance platforms as of September, it plays an increasingly vital role in diversifying income sources and strengthening the national economy.
New platform launched for pilgrims’ guidance
- The platform educates visitors on performing rituals according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in an interactive format
RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched an awareness platform on its website, offering 180 educational topics for pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.
The platform educates visitors on performing rituals according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in an interactive format, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It focuses on essential topics, addresses pilgrims’ needs and enhances their spiritual journey at Islam’s holiest sites, the SPA added.
The platform includes 580 minutes of videos, 365 presentations and 220 educational designs. It is organized into four learning tracks and 12 educational journeys for a comprehensive experience.
Content is available in eight languages, including English, French, Persian, Indonesian and Hausa, the SPA reported.
The platform allows users to progress through learning stages in a structured way, with progress statistics to motivate further learning. It can be accessed at learn.haj.gov.sa.
Saudi-shot action thriller ‘Seven Dogs’ drops first-look images
DUBAI: First images for Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah Saudi-shot action thriller “Seven Dogs” have dropped as the production shoots outside the capital of Riyadh.
The $40 million project from the “Bad Boys for Life” directorial duo is being shot at the newly inaugurated Alhisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, one of the Middle East and North Africa region’s biggest film and television production facilities, with additional filming at Riyadh Boulevard. Riyadh will also serve as a stand-in for multiple international cities, including Mumbai and Shanghai.
The thriller is based on an original story by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
Egyptian stars Karim Abdel Aziz (“The Blue Elephant,” “Kira & El Gin,” “Abu Ali”) and Ahmed Ezz (“Kira & El Gin,” “The Cell,” “Welad Rizk”) headline the action film.
Ezz plays Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi who apprehends Ghali Abu Dawood (Aziz), a high-ranking member of the clandestine global crime syndicate known as Seven Dogs. A year later, the organization resurfaces, trafficking a dangerous new drug — Pink Lady — across the Middle East.
With time running out, Khalid reluctantly joins forces with Ghali, the only person with intimate knowledge of the syndicate’s operations. Their uneasy alliance propels them on a high-stakes mission across multiple global cities as they strive to dismantle the organization and prevent the drug from flooding Arab streets.
“Seven Dogs” is slated for a late 2025 release.
Fitch affirms Qatar’s rating at AA, outlook stable
RIYADH: Qatar has retained its AA credit rating from Fitch Ratings, with a stable outlook, supported by the country’s expanding liquefied natural gas production capacity and high per capita income.
The US-based agency highlighted Qatar’s strong fiscal position, citing one of the world’s highest gross domestic product per capita figures and a flexible public finance framework that bolsters the country’s resilience.
An AA rating signals very low credit risk and a robust ability to meet financial commitments, even in the face of foreseeable economic pressures.
Qatar’s strong credit rating aligns with the broader trend in the Middle East, where countries are steadily diversifying their economies to reduce reliance on crude revenues.
In February, Fitch affirmed Saudi Arabia’s IDR at A+ with a stable outlook, while the UAE received a rating of AA-. The agency also affirmed Kuwait’s AA- rating in March.
“Qatar’s ‘AA’ rating reflects one of the world’s highest GDP per capita, our expectation that additional gas production will strengthen public finances and a flexible public finance structure,” said Fitch Ratings.
The report highlighted Qatar’s plans to expand LNG production capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum to 110 mtpa in 2026 and 126 mtpa by 2027, eventually reaching 142 mtpa by 2030.
According to Fitch, state-owned Qatar Energy’s North Field projects will support both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon growth from 2025 to 2030.
North Field, which holds nearly 10 percent of the world’s known LNG reserves, lies off the northeast shore of the Qatar peninsula, covering more than 6,000 sq. km — roughly half the country’s land area.
“Funding plans for the 2030 phase will depend on hydrocarbon prices at that time but we expect it is likely that most of the project will be funded with internal resources,” added Fitch.
The agency also projected that Qatar’s government debt-to-GDP ratio will fall to about 43 percent by 2027, down from 49 percent in 2024 and a peak of 85 percent in 2020.
Fitch noted that Qatar’s government is expected to refinance most upcoming external market debt maturities and pay down external loans using a moderate budget surplus, excluding income from its sovereign wealth fund investments.
Qatar’s sovereign net foreign assets per GDP reached $398 billion in 2024, up from $347 billion in 2023, reaffirming the country’s strong financial standing.
However, the report also outlined key constraints that could impact Qatar’s rating in the future, including its heavy reliance on hydrocarbons, higher government debt-to-GDP ratio compared to regional peers, and regional stability risks.
“Qatar has broadly normalized its relations with the GCC in recent years, although points of tensions remain. Qatar continues to position itself as a mediator in relations between Western powers and Iran and Hamas, among others,” Fitch noted.
It added: “High tensions in the region and uncertainty around US Middle East policy contribute to the persistence of regional geopolitical risks, which could impact Qatar, although it has so far not been directly affected.”
Emirates Red Crescent, UAE consulate distribute food rations among thousands in Pakistan
- UAE consulate, Emirates Red Crescent distribute food rations and iftar boxes in rural areas of Sindh, Balochistan and KP
- Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and increasingly engage in the remembrance of the Almighty in Ramadan every year
ISLAMABAD: The UAE arm of the International Red Cross, the Emirates Red Crescent, is distributing thousands of food rations with the UAE consulate in Karachi among the impoverished in various parts of Pakistan, a statement from the consulate said on Tuesday.
Every year the Emirates Red Crescent distributes iftar boxes and food rations in Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and increasingly engage in the remembrance of the Almighty.
“According to UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, the distribution of ration and iftar boxes is continuing in the rural and backward areas of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (provinces),” the UAE consulate said in a statement.
The statement said food rations and iftar boxes were being distributed in Sindh’s Khairpur, Nawabshah, Ghotki, Sukkur and Sanghar districts. Meanwhile in Balochistan, food rations and iftar boxes were being distributed among the poor in the districts of Gwadar, Pasni, Panjgur and other adjoining areas.
“Thousands of people will continue to be part of this journey of love and happiness on a daily basis during the month of Ramadan, through rations and iftar spreads,” Remeithi was quoted as saying by the consulate.
He said the first priority of the Emirates Red Crescent is to distribute high quality food and drink items, and iftar boxes and rations prepared in accordance with the highest standards of hygiene.
“The series of love that begins with the month of Ramadan will double the joy of Eid Al-Fitr,” Remeithi said.
