JEDDAH, 30 October 2005 — A large Saudi relief convoy of 100 containers with foodstuffs, blankets and tents will leave Riyadh for Pakistan today, according to Dr. Saaed Al-Harithy, chairman of the relief committee.

He said the relief supplies are expected to arrive in Pakistan within a few days and would be distributed among the survivors of the massive earthquake that struck the country two weeks ago.

The containers will be transported first to King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam where they will be loaded on ships for movement to Pakistan, Al-Harithy said. This is the first relief convoy sent by the committee since the Oct. 8 quake which killed more than 50,000 people and left nearly three million homeless.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah earlier ordered emergency aid worth SR500 million for Pakistan in order to rebuild infrastructure such as schools and hospitals in the devastated areas. The king also launched a nationwide fundraising campaign for the quake victims by donating SR10 million. A telethon organized by Saudi Television in cooperation with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite channel raised more than SR140 million for the quake victims.

Al-Harithy said the relief convoy had been planned according to instructions from Interior Minister Prince Naif, supervisor of the fundraising campaign.

“The sending of this large convoy reflects the Kingdom’s humanitarian role and its good relations with the Pakistani people,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Al-Harithy as saying. “It will be followed be more relief convoys carrying food and medical supplies,” he added.

The committee has already sent a Saudi team to distribute relief supplies, Al-Harithy said, adding that the team had taken part in the distribution of 500 tents and a large quantity of dates in Mansehra and Balakot.

Al-Harithy disclosed the committee’s plan to open a regional office in Islamabad in order to supervise Saudi relief efforts, supply medicines to hospitals and take care of families who have survived.

He called upon Saudi businessmen and philanthropists to donate generously to the committee’s fund for the support of Pakistani quake victims. He requested them to deposit donations in the committee’s account No. 7777 at National Commercial Bank. Businessmen and traders are also requested to contribute foodstuffs, medicine and other supplies to future convoys.