UN Organizations Commend KSrelief's Support for Relief Efforts in Gaza

The KSrelief received appreciation from the WHO, the UNRWA, and the WFP for its support to UN relief efforts in Gaza.
The KSrelief received appreciation from the WHO, the UNRWA, and the WFP for its support to UN relief efforts in Gaza.
TT

UN Organizations Commend KSrelief's Support for Relief Efforts in Gaza

The KSrelief received appreciation from the WHO, the UNRWA, and the WFP for its support to UN relief efforts in Gaza.
The KSrelief received appreciation from the WHO, the UNRWA, and the WFP for its support to UN relief efforts in Gaza.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has received appreciation from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the World Food Program (WFP) for its support to UN relief efforts in Gaza, SPA said on Thursday. WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between WHO and KSrelief in supporting humanitarian and health initiatives in the Gaza Strip.
Several agreements were signed by KSrelief with various organizations and agencies in the humanitarian field at the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Cairo on Thursday, in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, Osama bin Ahmed Nugali, to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Al-Mandhari emphasized the severe crises the Eastern Mediterranean region faces due to conflicts, wars, and political instability and how these challenges impact the region's infrastructure, particularly the healthcare system.
He described the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has been going on for 47 days, as a real test of humanitarian values worldwide and the commitment of UN organizations to serving humanity.
The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed his gratitude towards KSrelief for their support in fulfilling the agency's duties in the critical situation of Gaza.
Lazzarini described the situation in Gaza as alarming, where 35,000 people have sought shelter in a UNRWA center after being displaced from their homes and losing all means of safety and protection. He welcomed the humanitarian truce in Gaza and stressed the importance of adhering to it to alleviate the humanitarian suffering and enhance relief efforts.
The WFP Regional Director for Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, Corinne Fleischer, also applauded KSrelief's support to several UN organizations in fulfilling their roles in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
She also welcomed the announced truce in Gaza, affirming the need for its implementation amid deteriorating food situation as bakeries have ceased operations due to fuel and flour shortages.
The Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Egypt, Alfonso Verdú Pérez, stressed the importance of collaborating with international partners to end the war in Gaza.
He highlighted that regional and international organizations are tirelessly working to address the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
Pérez further added that 70% of the health and humanitarian institutions and facilities have been destroyed by the conflict, highlighting the significance of funding UN organizations to assist the Palestinian people in Gaza.



Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
TT

Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

A tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea on Monday after warnings of rough waters and 16 people were missing, Egyptian officials said.

The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.

Hanafy visited the site where the vessel sank, according to a Red Sea Governorate update on Facebook. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, who include crew members, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.

The governor confirmed that rescuers were still searching for the missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners. Meanwhile, those who survived suffered only bruises and abrasions and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition.

The Egyptian military was coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.

The boat, named Sea Story, had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.

Preliminary reports, based on statements from the yacht crew and tourists, said a large wave crashed into the boat, causing it to capsize, according to the governorate’s update. Some of the passengers were inside the cabins when the incident unfolded within minutes, according to the statements.

The UK Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” after the sinking.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also told The Associated Press in an email that it is “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without revealing further details.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of any Spanish nationals among the missing. The ministry said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.

The governorate received a report shortly before dawn Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.

It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motorized yacht to sink. But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, founder of the Society for Marine Rescue and Environmental Conservation in the Red Sea Hassan al-Tayeb told Asharq Al-Awsat that the yacht likely sank because of the poor weather conditions, citing meteorological reports a day before the incident.

The vessel had set sail before the weather warnings were made.

Tayeb stressed that such accidents are uncommon and that vessels are inspected by the concerned authorities before taking any sea journey.

He did not hold anyone in Egypt responsible for tourist vessel sinkings, explaining that ultimately, the weather is out of anyone’s control.