Saudi Arabia donates 100 metric tons of dates to PHL

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated 100 metric tons of dates to the Philippines, an annual contribution to help survivors of calamities.

In a turnover ceremony on Monday morning, Abdullah N.A. Al Bussairy, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, said this is a special gift from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz as a show of solidarity to the Filipinos.

In total, the country donated 4,000 tons of dates to different countries, with the Philippines among the top five beneficiaries, he added.

The Philippine Red Cross and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos received the donation. Also present during the turnover were officials from the Saudi Ministry of Finance.

Red Cross governor Corazon Alma de Leon thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the donation. According to her, this may help malnourished children because dates are rich in sugar.

De Leon could not yet give specific details on which areas will benefit from the donation, but assured that it will reach those in need.

Aside from this annual donation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia helps the Philippines through humanitarian relief, scholarship grants, and road construction. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News