Saudi Arabia pledges $100m for Sudan humanitarian crisis

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Saudi Arabia will donate $100m (Dhs375m) towards easing Sudan’s humanitarian crisis as the ongoing conflict has caused the displacement of an estimated 1.3 million people in various regions of the North African nation and neighbouring countries.

The announcement was made by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, at the International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome, according to state news agency Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud said the kingdom is actively working to lessen suffering in areas affected by crises, conflicts and disasters through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. Saudi Arabia has implemented 30 projects to support refugees and migrants at a cost of more than $130m and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, exceeding $410m.

“The kingdom’s firm stance in favour of international collaboration in addressing all common challenges is unwavering,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud said.

He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s support for developing the regular and institutional structure of the national human rights system, labour systems, and policies, and promotion of labour rights and improving contractual relationships.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud called on the international community to play its role in solidarity and cooperation to address the political, social, and economic aspects of irregular migration, combat exploitation and smuggling crimes, and confront cross-border organised crime networks.

He was accompanied by Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Faleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior; Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, Director General of Passports, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Civil Status and Dr Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Rassi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud said Saudi Arabia appreciates the efforts of international partners working for the stability and security of people around the world.

Saudi Arabia, UAE pledge to address migration crisis

In other news, the UAE allocated $100m (Dhs367m) to support development projects in countries affected by irregular immigration, including backing initiatives proposed in the Rome Process.

The announcement was made by UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome on Sunday.  Sheikh Mohamed, in his speech at the international conference, said that ‘irregular migration’, which tragically claims thousands of lives each year, stands as one of the most critical challenges facing the world today.

Addressing this phenomenon requires comprehensive solutions rooted in development and stability, the UAE leader said, as it is through development that the world can achieve peace and stability, both within societies and on an international scale.

With the UAE gearing up to host the COP28 climate summit in November, Sheikh Mohamed told the conference that climate change is one of the key drivers of irregular migration as it leads to drought, agricultural crop destruction, and increased poverty in many countries.

Sheikh Mohamed the climate conference in Dubai seeks to accelerate international efforts to address the impacts of climate change and support the implementation of the outcomes from previous conferences.

Read: UAE allots $100m to support countries affected by ‘irregular migration’