The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz contributed $104 million to the World Food Program (WFP) to help meet an urgent need for funding to continue food distribution to millions of refugees sheltering in countries neighboring Syria, in Ethiopia and in Kenya, the Embassy said in a press release.
“The contribution to the World Food Program reflects King Abdullah’s desire to help those in need, regardless of religion, sect or ethnicity,” said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.
According to the Associated Press, “the World Food Program caused alarm last week when it announced that it would have to cut food vouchers to Syrian refugees. But an unusual social media campaign brought in more than $1 million from the public, while countries donated millions more.”
Abdullah’s donation added a significant amount to the $64 million total that came in from sympathetic users of social media sites and others around the world.
More from the release:
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed profound gratitude to King Abdullah, “for his personal compassion and commitment to help those in need – irrespective of their faith, sect or ethnicity – through his generous contribution of US$104 million to the United Nations World Food Programme,” Ban’s office said in a statement released today. “This aid will help the United Nations provide millions of refugees from Syria, South Sudan and Somalia with life-saving food and nutrition assistance at a crucial time when food operations in those areas are under threat of suspension due to lack of financial support.”
The contribution includes $52 million to assist nearly 1.7 million Syrian refugees; $42 million for refugees in Ethiopia, many from South Sudan; and $10 million to refugees in Kenya.
“We are extremely grateful for this assistance, which comes at a crucial moment for these refugees – all of whom have fled protracted conflict,” said WFP’s Executive Director Ertharin Cousin. “The compassion and commitment shown by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud will help save the refugees, especially children, from the pain and debilitating effects of hunger.”
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia provided $500 million for humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq, including nearly $150 million to WFP.
