Arab-African Summit in Saudi Arabia Postponed Due to Developments in Gaza

Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
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Arab-African Summit in Saudi Arabia Postponed Due to Developments in Gaza

Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday the postponement of the fifth Arab-African summit due to the developments in Gaza. The summit was scheduled to be held in Riyadh on Saturday

Emergency Arab and Islamic summits are being held in Riyadh on Saturday and Sunday respectively to tackle the conflict.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it had coordinated with the Arab League and African Union to postpone the summit.

It hoped that the political developments in the region would not impact the Arab-African partnership.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit described the situation Gaza as “catastrophic”, condemning the violation of all Palestinian rights by Israeli forces.

Aboul Gheit met with UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk in Cairo on Tuesday. He said trust has been lost in international humanitarian law “given the daily massacres committed by the occupation forces”.

“The western world needs to realize the severity of the situation,” he added, warning of its consequences on the future of the Middle East and beyond.



KSrelief, WHO Launch Project to Improve WASH Services in Yemen’s Health Facilities

KSrelief teams distribute aid in Yemen's Dhale Governorate. (SPA)
KSrelief teams distribute aid in Yemen's Dhale Governorate. (SPA)
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KSrelief, WHO Launch Project to Improve WASH Services in Yemen’s Health Facilities

KSrelief teams distribute aid in Yemen's Dhale Governorate. (SPA)
KSrelief teams distribute aid in Yemen's Dhale Governorate. (SPA)

WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) are launching a $ 3.75 million project to enhance the water supply and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Yemen’s health facilities, WHO said in a statement on its website.
The project will target the most vulnerable populations across the country.
Titled “Improved WASH Services in Healthcare Facilities with Sustainable Water Supply to Serve the Most Vulnerable Populations in Yemen”, the project aligns strategic objectives of Yemen’s Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 and priorities of the WASH Cluster and Health Cluster.
Focusing on life-saving support for internally displaced people and vulnerable groups, the project will improve health care for 580 231 beneficiaries. It will do so by enabling 10 health facilities to sustain safe water, maintaining water services in 60 other facilities and upgrading WASH infrastructure in 2 hospitals, benefiting newborns, maternal health, and disease prevention, added the statement.

WHO will ensure safe water supply, infection prevention and control, and water quality monitoring as part of the project to safeguard health services.
“This project is a critical step towards reducing morbidity and mortality from preventable illnesses among the Yemeni population. By improving WASH services in health facilities, we not only ensure the safety of health workers and patients but also increase patient satisfaction with the services provided,” said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative to Yemen.
KSrelief remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that directly impact vulnerable communities in Yemen. This project’s focus on sustainable water supply and enhanced WASH services in health facilities will significantly improve service delivery and address critical health challenges, stated Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem, Health and Environmental Aid Department Director.
This project underscores the collaborative efforts of WHO and KSrelief in serving the most vulnerable populations in Yemen and ensuring their access to essential health services, WHO statement concluded.