200,000 Yemenis Benefit from Saudi Relief Efforts During Ramadan

KSrelief aid is delivered in Yemen. (Government media)
KSrelief aid is delivered in Yemen. (Government media)
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200,000 Yemenis Benefit from Saudi Relief Efforts During Ramadan

KSrelief aid is delivered in Yemen. (Government media)
KSrelief aid is delivered in Yemen. (Government media)

Over 50,000 Yemenis have received food aid as part of the Etaam food basket initiative launched by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on March 9, two days before the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The initiative seeks to help people and countries in need throughout the world. It aims to benefit over 200,000 Yemenis.

Yemeni government and relief organizations revealed that some 7,400 food baskets have been distributed in the Yemeni provinces of al-Jawf, Abyan, al-Mahra and Hodeidah since the beginning of Ramadan. The aid has benefitted over 51,842 people.

The initiative will cover nine provinces this year: Hadhramout, Marib, al-Jawf, Hajjah, Saada, Hodeidah, Shabwa, al-Mahra and Socotra. It will benefit 30,312 families or 212,184 people.

A KSrelief team followed up on the distribution of the aid in al-Mahra.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the al-Mahra local council Salem Nemer inaugurated the third phase of the operation of the dialysis center in al-Ghayda, the provincial capital, that is being funded by KSrelief.

The third phase will extend two years given the success of the first two phases.

Nemer hailed the KSrelief and Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) on their relief efforts throughout Yemen, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in development efforts.

He said the dialysis center was a beacon of hope for kidney failure patients.

He vowed that the authorities will offer all facilitations and overcome all obstacles that the center may encounter.

Director of the project Mohammed Nashri said the first two phases of the initiative were major successes, crediting them to the Yemeni team at the center.

He added that the center provided free integrated health services to 128 patients at the dialysis department and 2,659 at the kidney disease clinic. Some 17,356 dialysis sessions were held.

Director of the Public Health and Population Office in al-Mahra Awad Mubarak Saad said the dialysis center there was one of the best in Yemen, underscoring its health, medical and lab expertise.

He stressed that the continuation of this pioneering project represents a cornerstone in providing healthcare to people in need.

In Hadhramout, director of the local KSrelief branch inspected the activities related to the training of orphans in several fields, such as mobile phone maintenance, sewing and embroidery, baking, and perfume and accessories making.

The training will support 440 families, which have lost breadwinners, in the Aden, Lahj, Taiz, Hadhramout, Marib, al-Jawf, al-Mahra and Hodeidah provinces.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.