Al-Issa, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Stress Mobilizing Support for Displaced

Part of the meeting between the Secretary of the Muslim World League and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - SPA
Part of the meeting between the Secretary of the Muslim World League and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - SPA
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Al-Issa, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Stress Mobilizing Support for Displaced

Part of the meeting between the Secretary of the Muslim World League and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - SPA
Part of the meeting between the Secretary of the Muslim World League and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - SPA

Secretary of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa discussed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi, strengthening the mechanisms of cooperation between the MWL and the UNHCR to mobilize global support for the issues of refugees and displaced people.

During their meeting, they discussed raising awareness in societies on the suffering of the displaced and what the human and moral duty requires of us to embrace them and stand with them in such difficult circumstances.

Al-Issa stressed the importance of the UNHCR's efforts in serving refugees and displaced people worldwide, especially in light of the successive global crises that exacerbate their suffering.

For his part, Grandi appreciated the support of the MWL for the UNHCR's efforts in serving the refugees and the various initiatives it presented to support their needs in the host communities.

He noted the importance of the long and close partnership that brings the two sides together, which had a broad positive impact on alleviating the suffering and protecting the displaced refugees.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of the fatwa issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, of the Muslim World League, permitting the payment of zakat to refugees through UNHCR, and the great difference this innovative path of support has made in the lives of millions of refugees and displaced people around the world.

The creation of future initiatives to develop the path of the partnership between the MWL and UNHCR was also discussed to support the humanitarian response to the urgent needs of refugees around the world, which contributes to protecting them from the risks they face during the asylum journey and in host communities, in addition to activating programs for their integration into social and economic life and facilitating their access to basic services, providing job opportunities, and a decent life.



Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has reiterated that there is no cap on the assistance it will provide to Syria, as two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday and another on Thursday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge.
The planes transported 56 tons of various aid, including food, shelter, and medical supplies, accompanied by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, announced that a land convoy will soon follow the air bridge in the coming days.
Dr. Samer Al-Jatili, spokesperson for KSrelief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s relief efforts for the Syrian people under this aid initiative are “without limit.” He emphasized that the aid will continue until humanitarian needs are met and the situation stabilizes, in line with the directives of the Saudi leadership to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
Al-Jatili also revealed plans to send fuel-laden trucks to Syria via Jordan, with the fuel earmarked specifically for bakeries to help them sustain operations amid current challenges.
Saudi chargé d’affaires in Syria, Abdullah al-Haris, emphasized while receiving the first aid plane that this assistance extends Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts through KSrelief, aimed at easing the suffering of the Syrian people during the ongoing crisis.
Dr. Mohammed Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, confirmed that the aid would be distributed to all those in need across Syria without discrimination.
Saudi Arabia has long supported the Syrian people, hosting 3 million Syrians since the crisis began in 2011. The Kingdom has offered essential services such as free education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, while facilitating their reintegration into society. It has also provided grants and humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries and to those affected by the catastrophic earthquake that struck northern Syria in February 2023.
Statistics show that the Kingdom has delivered $856.891 million in aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024.