Tuesday April 29, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 138 metric tons of nutritious dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, delivered through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), to support vulnerable communities in Somalia.
The dates will be incorporated into emergency food baskets provided to families facing severe hunger, amid worsening drought, conflict, and soaring food prices that have displaced thousands across the country.
According to the latest update from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), released in March, an estimated 4.6 million Somalis are projected to face crisis-level or worse hunger conditions by June.
“This support is a vital boost as WFP faces limited funding for our lifesaving operations in Somalia,” said El-Khidir Daloum, WFP’s Country Director in Somalia. “We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which strengthens our ability to deliver nutritious food assistance at a time when food insecurity is expected to rise.”
The contribution, valued at $388,000, will enable WFP to include dates—rich in essential nutrients and of significant cultural importance—in food baskets distributed to approximately 200,000 of the most food-insecure Somalis.
“KSrelief remains dedicated to working alongside partners like WFP to provide assistance and relief to those facing hardship. This donation reflects our continued support for the people of Somalia and our shared vision of alleviating hunger,” said Mr. Yazeed Abdullah Hamoud, Director of the KSrelief branch in Africa.
KSrelief has worked closely with WFP in recent years to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in Somalia. Since 2022, the Saudi humanitarian agency has contributed $8.5 million to WFP’s relief and nutrition programs in the country.
