General

Despite the global suffering and the imminent danger caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the virus did not hinder the work of the Steering Committee of the "Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of faith-based social services & religious infrastructure damaged during the crisis in Syria". In fact, the committee held an online meeting that gathered the representatives of the participating churches, representatives of Kerk in Actie (KiA) – Netherlands, which is the donor of the program, and senior officials from the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The official launching of the program was postponed due to the exceptional circumstances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the quarantine. However, these though conditions did not preclud

Cairo, The President of the Arab Parliament, Dr. Mishaal bin Fahim Al-Salami, described the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's organizing in partnership with the United Nations the Yemen High-level Pledging Event 2020, as a continuation of its humanitarian and development support for the Yemeni people. He added that it also embodies the leading role that the Kingdom plays as the first supporter of Yemen and the largest funders of the UN humanitarian response plans. In a press statement, he stressed the importance of the event in light of health and economic repercussions being imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic in order to help the Yemeni people and alleviate their suffering. He also pointed out that the event is a continuation of the support being provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Y...

Riyadh, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's great efforts towards the people in the Republic of Yemen have contributed to providing fundamental components for Yemenis through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) focusing on essential requirements of life including water supply and environmental sanitation projects. Since its establishment in May 2015, KSrelief has worked and cooperated with international relief institutions and agencies and implemented 27 projects in Yemen and abroad at a cost of USD193,924,274. The projects included the implementation of water supply and environmental sanitation in Yemeni Governorates and digging two water wells for Yemeni refugees in Djibouti, in addition to a project to support water, sterilization and sanitation services to displaced p...

Riyadh, The Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama has strongly condemned the Houthi militia's launch of two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) towards civilian targets in Khamis Mushait, which were intercepted and destroyed by the Forces of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, expressing his country's solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He added that while the Kingdom's leadership called for organizing the Yemen High-Level Pledging Event 2020, the coup militia launched two UAVs towards Khamis Mushait, threatening the lives of civilians in a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law, the ceasefire and de-escalation initiative announced by the Coalition on April 9th, 2020, pointing out that ...

Aden, The Governor of the Yemeni Governorate of AlMahrah, Muhammad Ali Yasser, has affirmed that Yemenis are waiting for results of the Yemen High-level Pledging Event 2020, to be organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in partnership with the United Nations tomorrow, and that it gives them a glimmer of hope in the dark days being experienced in Yemen in all aspects of life. He praised in a statement the Kingdom’s leadership and people for standing with the Yemeni people in all circumstances, adding that the Kingdom is a pioneer in providing assistance to affected peoples in all countries of the world, especially in Yemen. He also drew attention to strategic projects that AlMahrah has enjoyed through Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, including the medical and educa

Riyadh, The Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s organizing of the Yemen High-Level Pledging Event 2020 comes within the framework of humanitarian efforts to serve and provide assistance for the Yemeni people, especially since current conditions in all Yemeni parts call for a shared humanitarian stand. He said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the event, which will be tomorrow, comes in line with the Kingdom's continuous and supportive efforts through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), adding that we all know that the Kingdom is the first supporter of Yemen, as it provided

Madrid, Professor and researcher at the Spanish State University of Madrid Pablo Sabbagh has condemned as “irresponsible and inhumane act” the European Union’s renewal of its unilateral coercive measures against Syria. Sabbagh said in a statement that imposing these measures ignores international law, especially in light of the calls made to stop these measures with the outbreak of the Coronavirus in addition to being an inhumane act because it violates the rights of the Syrian people and works to undermine their ability to obtain food, medicine, and medical devices. He pointed out that the European Union’s decision is an evidence on its lack of independence and its inability to take a different policy from the US one, as it reveals the true face of this Union, which says something a

Australia is continuing to ease coronavirus restrictions, allowing more people to gather in restaurants, public parks and other attractions. Gatherings in the country’s largest state, New South Wales, had been limited to 10 people. That limit has been increased to 50. Museums, libraries and zoos are reopening. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he hopes the easing of restrictions will help the economy rebound after, like so many other global economies, being hit hard by the pandemic. But Morrison said another government stimulus package may be necessary. About 90,000 mosques across Saudi Arabia opened for the first time in more than two months Sunday, but some restrictions remain in place. Worshippers 15 years old and younger are not allowed inside, and the eld

Tens of thousands of mosques across Saudi Arabia reopened Sunday for the first time in more than two months, but worshipers have been ordered to follow strict guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as Islam's holiest site in Mecca remained closed to the public. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem, the third holiest site for Muslims after Saudi Arabia's Mecca and Medina, also reopened for prayers for the first time since it was closed since mid-March. Throngs waited outside the holy site's gates before it opened early Sunday, with many wearing surgical masks. As they were allowed to enter, the faithful stopped to have their temperature measured. The mosque was one of Occupied Jerusalem’s many holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western