Saudi Arabia Among Top Donors Responding to Turkiye Earthquakes

Saudi KSrelief distributes aid to those affected by the earthquake in the Turkish state of Hatay (SPA)
Saudi KSrelief distributes aid to those affected by the earthquake in the Turkish state of Hatay (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Among Top Donors Responding to Turkiye Earthquakes

Saudi KSrelief distributes aid to those affected by the earthquake in the Turkish state of Hatay (SPA)
Saudi KSrelief distributes aid to those affected by the earthquake in the Turkish state of Hatay (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has been named one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Turkiye following the recent earthquakes.

In a statement, the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) thanked donors who contributed $268 million in response to the US$1 billion humanitarian funding appeal for Turkiye following the earthquakes.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke confirmed that the appeal was funded by 27% and that the largest donors were Saudi Arabia, the United States, Kuwait, the European Commission, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, urging countries to provide support and contribute to financing the appeal.

Laerke said: "United Nations humanitarian agencies have reached more than 4.1 million people with non-food aid, and 3 million people with emergency food assistance, while more than 700,000 people have received support to improve their living quarters, including tents, relief housing units, and tents repair tools."

He added that 1.6 million people received water and sanitation assistance and hygiene, and about 1 million liters of drinking water were delivered.

The UN official pointed out that the Turkish Ministry of Health has been supported with 4.6 million vaccine doses, and 16 mobile health clinics, in addition to medicines and medical supplies for reproductive health and treatment of trauma and injuries.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.