Riyadh, Famine and the loss of food security in needy and developing countries represents one of the most prominent risks that the international community and the United Nations seek to prevent, as they threaten the lives of millions of people. It is also one of the most common causes of death in the world, surpassing many of the deadly diseases and dangerous viruses with a wide spread, including coronavirus (COVID-19), according to international reports issued in this regard, in addition to waves of mass displacement they cause, as well as fueling of disputes and conflicts.
The leading role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in helping countries facing the threat of famine is underscored among the international endeavors, as it provided, through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), nearly two billion US dollars, to enhance food security and nutrition in 58 countries in need.
KSrelief implemented 631 projects aimed at securing and distributing thousands of tons of food baskets, dates and sacrificial meat, in addition to keeping bakeries to operate, providing nutritional needs for children and mothers and providing agricultural aid for millions of the needy, displaced people and refugees in those countries.
In this regard, we can say that Yemen received the largest share of KSrelief’s humanitarian projects in food security and nutrition sectors, with 125 projects that covered all Yemeni governorates without any differentiation, at a total value exceeding $1.5b. This included contributions of $244m. made during the current year 2021 through the World Food Programme (WFP) that targets more than 13 million beneficiaries per month affiliating to the most vulnerable groups.
In this regard, WFP confirmed, in a statement last July, that the Kingdom’s contributions prevented a famine in Yemen, explaining that without the Kingdom’s contribution, the humanitarian response to save lives in Yemen cannot continue.
KSrelief is keen that the food baskets provided to needy groups are of high nutritional value, and meet the needs of a six-member family for a whole month.
KSrelief aims at making each individual obtains a minimum of 2,100 calories per day according to the standards of the Food Security Cluster affiliated to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The basket contains basic items such as rice, flour, sugar, oil, salt, beans and broad beans, weighing about 107 kilograms, while the weight of each basket varies according to international standards in force in the beneficiary country.
The food security sector occupies the forefront of the vital sectors supported by KSrelief in its humanitarian and relief efforts, harnessing its capabilities and establishing partnerships with various international and regional organizations and bodies, in order to enhance food security around the world.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
