JEDDAH, 29 December 2004 — Saudi Arabia said it was sending $10 million worth of assistance to the countries devastated by the tsunami catastrophe in South Asia.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd directed that $5 million worth of material relief including food, shelter and medicine be sent to the countries hit by the tidal waves.
The relief supplies will be transported and distributed by the Saudi Red Crescent.
The king also directed that another $5 in cash be allocated to provide assistance through international organizations such as the International Red Cress and Red Crescent and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
On Monday, the Saudi Cabinet said it was saddened by the tragedy and sent its condolences to the affected countries.
The UN has launched the largest relief operation in recent history to assist the victims. The world bigger-ever aid operation got under way yesterday to help the Asian countries stricken by the quake and the resulting tidal waves that killed more than 55,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. It is estimated that the tragedy has resulted in an economic loss of more than $13.5 billion.
