RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid agency, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has expanded food and relief assistance across several countries in Africa and the Middle East, delivering food baskets, dates and hot meals to vulnerable communities.
The assistance forms part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts to support vulnerable populations and communities affected by crises around the world.
Food baskets distributed in Africa
KSrelief distributed 550 food baskets to needy families in the Kankan Region of Guinea, benefiting around 3,300 people, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The distribution was carried out under the 2026 food baskets project in Guinea, aimed at strengthening food security among vulnerable households.
In South Africa, the aid agency distributed 450 food baskets to vulnerable families as part of the fifth phase of the 2026 food baskets project, benefiting 450 families, SPA reported.
Another 500 food baskets were delivered to vulnerable groups in Actonville, an area near Johannesburg, benefiting 500 families under the same project.
Separately, 400 food baskets were distributed in the Mayfair area of Johannesburg, reaching around 2,400 individuals, according to SPA.
KSrelief also delivered 400 food baskets in Holhol, located in the Ali Sabieh Region of Djibouti, benefiting 2,400 people.
The aid forms part of the fifth phase of the 2026 food basket project in Djibouti.
Date distributions in Syria, Sudan and Chad
The Saudi aid agency also provided humanitarian food supplies in other regions.
SPA reported that KSrelief distributed 1,880 cartons of dates in Damascus Governorate in Syria to support vulnerable families amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In Sudan, 276 cartons of dates were distributed in Red Sea State, benefiting 1,826 displaced persons and members of host communities.
The assistance forms part of a broader project to deliver 267 tonnes of dates to Sudan in 2026.
In Chad, KSrelief delivered 3,545 cartons of dates to vulnerable communities in the Mayo-Kebbi and Hadjer-Lamis provinces, benefiting 21,270 people.
The deliveries are part of a larger project to supply 800 tonnes of dates to Chad during 2026, SPA said.
Support for Gaza’s displaced families
Meanwhile, the central kitchen operated by KSrelief distributed 24,000 hot meals to displaced families in the Gaza Strip as part of the Saudi public campaign to assist Palestinians in the territory.
According to SPA, the kitchen prepares and distributes meals daily in different displacement areas to help strengthen food security for families struggling to meet their basic needs.
Field teams from the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner in Gaza, organise cooking operations and coordinate with camp committees to ensure the meals reach the largest number of beneficiaries.
Residents expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying the continued distribution of hot meals provided critical assistance at a time of severe food shortages and difficult living conditions in the enclave.
Eid support for children in Yemen
In Yemen, KSrelief launched a project to distribute Eid clothing, gifts and toys for children ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Marib Governorate.
SPA reported that the initiative is expected to benefit 19,000 people, including internally displaced families and members of host communities facing economic hardship.
The project aims to support vulnerable families while bringing joy to children during the Eid celebrations.
Saudi humanitarian efforts
SPA said the distributions form part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian and relief programmes implemented through KSrelief to assist vulnerable communities and populations affected by conflicts, displacement and economic hardship worldwide.
The centre continues to deliver food aid, emergency relief and development assistance across multiple regions as part of the Kingdom’s international humanitarian outreach.
