Saudi Arabia, UK Donate $9.16 Mn to Aid Sudan

Saudi aid sent to conflict-affected areas in Khartoum, Sudan. (KSrelief)
Saudi aid sent to conflict-affected areas in Khartoum, Sudan. (KSrelief)
TT

Saudi Arabia, UK Donate $9.16 Mn to Aid Sudan

Saudi aid sent to conflict-affected areas in Khartoum, Sudan. (KSrelief)
Saudi aid sent to conflict-affected areas in Khartoum, Sudan. (KSrelief)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office signed remotely on Wednesday a joint agreement to support the regional emergency response for populations affected by the humanitarian crisis in Sudan with an amount of $9.16 million.

It was also in response to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian appeal for Sudan.

Royal Court adviser and KSrelief Supervisor Abdullah al-Rabeeah and British Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office Andrew Mitchell signed the agreement.

The two sides will separately contribute to the ICRC in Sudan an amount of $4.58 million.

The financial contribution will provide life-saving support in health, protection, and food security. It also aims to achieve the common goal represented by an effective humanitarian response and alleviate the urgent humanitarian needs of the affected people in Sudan.

Al-Rabeeah said the aid provided by the Kingdom reaffirms the Saudi government's keenness to stand by the brotherly Sudanese people and mitigate the effects of the difficult crisis in Sudan.

He indicated that the contribution is an extension of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian role in standing by people in need around the world.

For his part, Mitchell said the agreement confirms the depth of the partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK in the humanitarian field.

He said that by working together on a joint project, the two sides will help the ICRC in easing the suffering of the displaced in Sudan. He hoped the warring parties would not prevent aid from reaching those who deserve it.

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger indicated that the funding would help the international organization provide a neutral and impartial response to the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

She added that this would allow the ICRC to respond quickly and effectively to the population's changing needs.

She stressed that the generous donation comes at the right time, as the ICRC and many other humanitarian organizations are facing financial challenges amid growing humanitarian needs worldwide.



GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
TT

GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA

Foreign Ministers from the Gulf and the US have announced their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was convened on September 25 in New York, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who currently chairs the GCC Ministerial Council. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Ministers from GCC member states and Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi.

A statement issued on Thursday said the ministers announced “their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel along the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”

The ministers stressed the need for all civilians displaced after October 7 to return to their homes and reaffirmed their belief that a durable peace is essential for a more integrated, stable, and prosperous region.

They also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity, effectiveness, and transparency of the Palestinian Authority, advocating for unified Palestinian-led governance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The ministers committed to supporting Palestinian aspirations for self-determination, ensuring that Palestinians are central to post-conflict governance and security in Gaza. They expressed support for improving the quality of life for Palestinians through humanitarian assistance and efforts to accelerate economic growth.

The statement said they expressed deep concern over rising levels of settler and extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and stressed the need for accountability for perpetrators. They called for a halt to unilateral actions, including settlement expansions, that hinder the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. They highlighted the importance of protecting all holy sites and places of worship while preserving the historic status quo in Jerusalem, recognizing Jordan’s special role.

On Gaza, the ministers committed to working towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.

They called for an increase in the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and stressed the urgent need to restore basic services and ensure protection for humanitarian workers. They highlighted the necessity for stakeholders to facilitate humanitarian distribution networks across Gaza to alleviate suffering and reiterated that all parties must ensure the safety of aid workers.

The ministers also underscored their shared commitment to the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US, building on the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent one in Riyadh on April 29. They emphasized the importance of strengthening consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields.