The International Islamic Relief Organization (IIROSA) in Saudi Arabia, an affiliate of the Muslim World League, launched a winter project recently to distribute blankets worth SR3 million to the less fortunate across the nation, in addition to large quantities of foodstuffs to those affected by recent flooding in different parts of the Kingdom.

The initiatives come as part of its pioneering project implemented every year at the onset of winter.

The launching ceremony was held at the IIROSA warehouse in Khumra near Jeddah.

IIROSA Acting Secretary-General Ehsaan Saleh Taieb said the project has positively affected its beneficiaries, especially during the winter season.

Through its local offices, IIROSA has succeeded in distributing high-quality blankets to the poor for the fourth year in a row. Citizens and officials have welcomed the campaign across the country.

Areas that stand to benefit include Hail, Tabuk, Northern Borders, Baha, Asir, Najran, Jazan, Yanbu, Madinah, Riyadh, Unaizah, Jouf and Jeddah.

Abdullah Habhab, director-general of Programs and Welfare, said implementation of the project comes as a relief to families who are suffering from poverty and deprivation.

“Many of these people live in incredibly poor structures with no protection from the cold. Earlier, a field study was conducted across the countryin this regard,” he said. Habhab said that IIROSA is also launching similar projects in a number of countries affected by the cold weather.

IIROSA also provided large quantities of blankets and other foodstuffs to 23 poor families in Jouf and 12,600 families in Hail who had been affected by the floods.

Recipient families expressed their gratitude to the organization for providing winter blankets and for extending support to them during their plight.