910-tonne aid consignment leaves for Yemen

Manama, May 30 (BNA): A 910-tonne aid consignment of aid containing food, medicines and tents will be dispatched today to war-ravaged Yemen. This follows directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who ordered urgent aid be sent to the brotherly Yemeni people. The aid shipment is sent under the patronage of His Majesty's Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) Board of Trustees Chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa yesterday inspected the 910-tonne consignment to Yemen. Present were Social Development Minister Faeqa Al Saleh, Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) secretary-general Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, Yemeni Embassy acting charge d'affaires Hassan Masoud Qahtan and Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla. Shailkh Nasser paid tribute to His Majesty for his humanitarian drive to extend a helping to people in dire need. He hailed the royal lifeline as part of efforts to alleviate Yemenis' suffering at this tragic phase of their country's history, affirming Bahrain's stance in support of Yemen during the "Operation Restoring Hope". He hailed His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, for their support. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister said that the relief aid ordered by HM the King was a "purely humanitarian act, beyond any politicisation. "This is charity work aimed at reaching out to affected people in Yemen." He added that the kind gesture reflected the genuine humanitarian values embraced by the Bahraini people. RCO Secretary-General Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed lauded HM King Hamad’s noble gesture. He said that the consignment, which includes medicines, food, water and tents, would be handed over to the UN relief agency in Djibouti seaport. He pointed out that all arrangements had been made in co-operation with parties concerned to ensure the consignment reaches affected people and meet their effective and urgent needs. "The consignment will be distributed through the UN relief agency, to different regions in Yemen," he said. He hailed efforts of the ministries of health, foreign affairs and social development, the National Relief Aid Committee, citizens and expatriates. Yemeni acting charge d'affaires extended deep thanks to the King, HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince for their supportive stances towards the Yemeni people. Social Development Minister paid tribute to the Kingdom’s leadership, government and people, highlighting the ministry constant coordination with RCO in urging charity organisations in Bahrain in collecting to the war-ravaged brotherly Yemen. Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary said the ministry had coordinated with the competent sides to ensure the distribution of the aid items to the targeted sides in Yemen. He also congratulated RCO for its success.