Monday 14 Oct 2024 {HMC} The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has been leading humanitarian and relief efforts worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s ultimate goal is to serve people in need, regardless of their background, and to provide support and assistance in accordance with the principles of human brotherhood.

The Kingdom actively supports international and UN initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of disasters and crises.

It has contributed significantly to alleviating suffering, improving living conditions, and achieving sustainable development goals.

Through the KSrelief, the Kingdom has provided $18 million to the United Nations to address the effects of natural disasters and marine pollution resulting from the FSO Safer.

In response to the severe drought and famine in Somalia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implemented specific projects to address the crisis.

It undertook the rehabilitation and digging of new artesian wells, ensuring a supply of clean water to affected populations and livestock.

Additionally, the Kingdom provided food security assistance to the most vulnerable groups, displaced persons, and those affected in Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, and Sudan during humanitarian crises.

When a devastating earthquake struck Syria and Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian aid by swiftly responding.

It operated relief air bridges, dispatched volunteer and medical teams, and supported local and international relief efforts.

The Kingdom has also made generous contributions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, providing food, shelter, and medical aid through air and sea bridges and airdrops.

The Kingdom recently established a camp for displaced Palestinians in Khan Yunis to assist those affected by sea high waves and damaged tents.

On October 13th, the Kingdom joins the world in celebrating the International Day for Disaster Reduction, promoting a culture of disaster prevention, preparedness, and solidarity with those affected by humanitarian crises.

SOURCE 

Monday 14 Oct 2024 {HMC}  An extra 600 Kenyan police officers set to join a U.N.-backed mission to try to quell rampant gang violence in Haiti will be ready for deployment in early November, Kenya’s police chief said Saturday.

President William Ruto had pledged the additional officers Friday following a meeting with Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, as the two leaders appealed for the international community to do more.

“A contingent of 600 officers will soon join the Kenyan police already stationed in Haiti after completing pre-deployment training.” said Kenya’s Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

“Once this training is complete, the officers will be ready for departure early next month,” he said at a media briefing alongside Conille in Nairobi.

The East African country is leading the multinational mission aimed at tackling spiraling insecurity in the crime-ravaged Caribbean nation and has so far sent 400 police.

Addressing concerns about delays in paying the salaries of officers already in Haiti, Kanja said, “The payment issue has been sorted out, and the officers are happy.”

On Friday, Ruto had urged the international community to “urgently” rally behind the mission, which has been hobbled by a chronic lack of funding.

“This is the moment to provide that critical support for us to be able to undertake the exercise at hand,” he said in a call echoed by Conille.

The Haitian leader’s visit to Kenya comes a week after gang members opened fire in the Haitian town of Ponte Sonde, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the capital Port-au-Prince, butchering 109 people and wounding around 40 more.

The U.N. Security Council last month extended the policing mission for one year, without transforming it into a U.N. peacekeeping mission as floated by Port-au-Prince.

More than 3,600 people have been killed this year in “senseless” gang violence in Haiti, according to the U.N. human rights office.

SOURCE VOA