RIYADH, 24 June 2003 — The Kingdom is involved in 27 projects costing millions of riyals to ensure that the Palestinians can lead peaceful lives once the current strife ends. Prince Naif, interior minister and general supervisor of the Saudi Committee for Support of the Al-Quds Intifada, has endorsed the grants for the projects.
Most of the grants are intended to provide basic amenities to the local Palestinian population and to build infrastructure. They are in addition to funds released by the Saudi aid organization to assist some 35,000 people in Palestine.
A sum of SR115 million has also been allocated for a new Palestinian Family Support Program. War-ravaged Palestine, with its shattered economy, is losing more than SR40 million daily because of Israel’s punitive measures.
The Saudi Committee for Support of the Al-Quds Intifada also made available 200,000 food baskets at a cost of $6 million for distribution to those in need. The foodstuffs have been distributed primarily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Additionally, the Kingdom has also donated 41 new ambulances and medicine to Palestine to meet the growing need of hospitals and first-aid centers there. The ambulances were part of an earlier donation of 137 ambulances pledged by the Kingdom at a total cost of SR14 million.
The Kingdom’s support for Palestine followed the initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
A number of Saudi aid organizations are also helping the Palestinians. Recently, the Islamic Development Bank signed an agreement to extend loans to the Palestinian National Authority. Under the first agreement, the IDB will extend an interest-free loan of $7 million to the PNA. The loan will be used to finance projects to be implemented by the municipalities and rural councils in Palestine.
