Saudi Arabia pledges $75 mln for refugees

Saudi Arabia has vowed to provide additional $75 million to support the refugees in coordination with international organizations, according to a speech given by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef at the United Nations.

Saudi Arabia is always keen to tackle humanitarian crises as part of its commitment to the fundamental teachings of Islam, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, who is also Saudi Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, said in a speech at the United Nations. “The total humanitarian assistance provided by the Kingdom over the past four decades amounted to about $139 billion,” he said.

With his remarks, the Crown Prince set the tone of the Kingdom’s approach on the global issue at the 71st annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York, which is also addressing “large movements of refugees and migrants” on its sidelines.

“The Kingdom has received around 2.5 million Syrian citizens, and it is keen on not treating them simply as refugees or putting them in refugee camps. On the other hand, the Kingdom safeguarded their dignity and ensured their safety by granting full freedom of movement and issuing residence permits (iqama) for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who wanted to remain in the Kingdom.”

“The Kingdom has also given them access to the labor market and provided healthcare and education free of charge. There are more than 141,000 Syrian children pursuing their education free of cost,” he said. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef also said that Saudi Arabia contributed toward supporting and sponsoring millions of Syrian refugees living in neighboring states.