Saudi Arabia Extends Rp806.6 Billion Aid For Aceh

Jakarta, April 22 (Antara) - Saudi Arabian government extended relief funds totaling Rp806.6 billion to assist the victims of major earthquake and tsunami in Aceh province and other areas in Indonesia in December 2014, Saudi Arabian Vice Interior Minister said. "We hope the assistance could relieve the suffering of the tsunami disaster victims," the Saudi Arabian Vice Interior Minister Abdul Rahman Ali Al-Rubaiaan said here on Tuesday evening. The visit of Saudi Arabian Vice Interior Minister to Indonesia was aimed at asserting about the humanitarian aid from Saudi Charity. Abdul Rahman also expressed his appreciation to Indonesian government for facilitating the team of Saudi Charity in distributing the assistance. "The success of Saudi Charity in Indonesia reflects close relationship between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia," Vice Minister said. Several kinds of humanitarian aid which had been given by Saudi Arabian government among other things, the construction of 1,500 houses, water wells drilling and water refineries, the establishment of Prince Naif hospital and two health clinics in some coastal villages in Aceh. Besides, Saudi Arabia also provided funds for the renovation of Baitul Rahman grand mosque, construction for a number of facilities in Banda Aceh, as well as the establishment of two orphanages and giving a prayer rug and Al Qur`an to mosques. Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Abdullah Zaini expressed his high appreciation relating to the aid from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the victims of the tsunami and the development of infrastructure in the province. "This program is a social service that has been given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is expected to provide assistance to the people of Aceh," Zaini said. Apart from that, the Saudi Kingdom had also delivered aid to the earthquake victims in Yogyakarta Province and flood victims in Jakarta respectively worth RP3.4 billion and RP5.7 billion.