JEDDAH: The International Islamic Relief Organization, Saudi Arabia (IIROSA) plans to launch several initiatives in Zambia to help that nation’s poor and needy.

This includes education, health, economic empowerment, leadership development, and other humanitarian assistance, according to Ehssan Saleh Taieb, secretary general of the organization.

Taieb had discussions on the projects with Esther Lungu, Zambia’s first lady, at the IIROSA headquarters in Jeddah recently, according to a report in a local publication.

The Zambian delegation accompanying Lungu included Ibrahim Mumba, Zambian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Patrick Nkanza, permanent secretary of the Zambian Ministry of Education, and other top officials.

Taieb said the collaboration would “advance the shared goal of IIROSA and the humanitarian activities carried out by the Office of the First Lady,” which is to alleviate poverty across the country and prepare individuals and communities to become more resilient.

Taieb briefed the delegation on the accomplishments and structure of the organization. “All these humanitarian achievements have been made possible because of the support and guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Abdullah Mohsin Turki, secretary general of the Muslim World League and chairman of IIROSA’s board of directors.”

Taieb said that the work of the organization has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people, including in some African countries. This was especially the case where there have been natural disasters and sectarian conflicts resulting in millions of orphans, widows, homeless people, disabled individuals and refugees.

“This year alone, we dispatched a huge quantity of free Ramadan meals and sacrificial meat under the ‘Adahi’ campaign, providing relief to thousands, saving countless lives and building resilience against future emergencies,” he said.

He asked Lungu to provide land where IIROSA could set up centers to help with its humanitarian work.