ALGIERS - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 350 metric tons of dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia worth US$ 723,000 to support Sahrawi refugees living in camps in Algeria.
The contribution was formalized during a handover ceremony at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Algiers. It was attended by the Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia to Algiers Mr Ahmed Al Harthi and WFP Country Director and Representative in Algeria Imed Khanfir.
"While it is unfortunate that we were not able to distribute the dates during Ramadan, we were very happy to pass them on to refugees in time for the Islamic New Year celebrations," said Imed Khanfir. "We would like to express our gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, as well as to the Saudi Arabian people for their generous contribution, which is even more crucial during the current pandemic." On this occasion, the advisor, Mr Al-Harthy explained that this aid comes within the framework of the leading role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the international level to provide humanitarian and relief assistance in different parts of the world, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
Dates are very nutritious and highly appreciated by the refugees. This contribution of Saudi dates complements their basic food rations and helps diversify their diet.
Saudi Arabia is a key donor to WFP in Algeria, having contributed more than US$ 7 million since 2010.
