Saudi Arabia Donates Dates to WFP for Somali And Sudanese
ADDIS ABABA, 21 MARCH 2003--The United Nations World Food Programme announced on Monday that a donation from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of 360 metric tons of dates to WFP for the Somali and Sudanese refugees living in camps in Ethiopia. The dates are valued at more than US$ 460,000 and are being distributed this month, the WFP said in a press release.

"This is a very generous contribution and we are very grateful to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing a food item that compliments and varies the refugees' diet," said Ms. Georgia Shaver, WFP Country Representatives in Ethiopia. "This is the third time that the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donates dates to refugees in Ethiopia".

"This particular donation illustrates the commitment of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be among the first countries providing humanitarian assistance to people in need throughout the world," said Salah Ahmed Sarhan, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Ethiopia. "This contribution reflects also the good relations between the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia".