Saudis, at War in Yemen, Give Country $66.7 Million in Cholera Relief
ingdom’s substantial humanitarian efforts in Yemen." In a statement, Unicef said
that it welcomed the infusion of Saudi money and that "we look forward to discussing this contribution" with the kingdom’s royal charity. that the donation is an initiative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and accelerates the K
The donation authorized by the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was announced by the ruling family’s charity, the King Salman Center for Relief
and Humanitarian Aid, which said the money would go to Unicef and the World Health Organization in response to their urgent pleas.
As with all funding we receive, these funds will be used in line with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity
and independence." The donation was among the first prominent actions of the crown prince, the 31-year-old son of King Salman, since he was abruptly promoted to first in the line of succession on Wednesday, bypassing his older rival, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, and upending decades of royal custom.
By RICK GLADSTONEJUNE 23, 2017
The newly elevated crown prince of Saudi Arabia, who as defense minister has led the country’s bombing
and blockades of Yemen, showed his charitable side on Friday with a $66.7 million donation to fight the cholera outbreak in that country.
Mr. Cappelaere said it was the worst cholera outbreak he had seen in Yemen
and "just comes on top of what already was an incredibly daunting situation." Yemen is also facing a famine and a growing population of young children with severe malnutrition problems.
The Middle East regional director of Unicef, Geert Cappelaere, said last week
that the agency had been so desperate to contain the cholera crisis in Yemen that it had taken the unusual step of paying the country’s doctors and nurses, who have not been paid in months.