Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" Makes Immediate Additional Donation of SR7.5M, Total of SR12.5M to Somalia

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" and HH Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel Vice Chairwoman of the Foundation visited famine victims in Somalia on Saturday August 27th 2011 and met with HE President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, HE Mr. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adem, Head of Parliament and HE Mr. Abdulwahab Ugas Khalifa, Acting Prime Minister.

Prince Alwaleed and Princess Ameerah made an additional donation of SR7.5million ($2million) through Alwaleed Foundation. His Royal Highness and Her Highness’s visit was to show their support for the country and to make an additional donation to help end the devastating famine that is ravaging Southern Somalia. The region is experiencing the worst drought in more than half a century.

The additional donation was in partnership with the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-formerly the Organization of Islamic Conference) where each organization received SR3.75million ($1million) respectively. The donation responded to the OIC’s Somalia Famine Campaign under the Humanitarian Affairs Department and the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund for Somalia which supports local and international aid agencies in critical long-term programs.

Prince Alwaleed had made a SR5million through Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" on Monday 22nd August 2011. The donation was announced live during the televised campaign to help the famine victims in Somalia that was initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The announcement was made by Dr. Sheikh Ali Al Nashwan, Board Member of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation on live national television.

Recently, Prince Alwaleed received at his office in Riyadh, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Mohamed, Somali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador briefed HRH about the dire situation in Somalia giving accounts of the affected people and suffering caused by the famine there. The Ambassador explained that the people were in desperate need of immediate humanitarian assistance and relief aid. In response, Prince Alwaleed expressed his concern about the situation in the country and his readiness to assist in any way he can through Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation. Mr. Mohamed thanked the Prince and assured him that the Somali embassy will extend their support and co-operation with the Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" on this matter. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nahla AlAnbar, Private Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman.

The Somali Ambassador also met with Princess Ameerah at the Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" in Riyadh. During the meeting he described the effects of the famine on the people of Somalia in addition to the destruction of crops and cattle, and the numerous deaths. Moreover, he presented ideas for the Foundation to provide aid and relief items through partnering with other organizations. The Princess said the Foundation will help in any way possible to assist those affected by the famine. The meeting was attended by Ms. Halla Angawi, Executive Manager, International Projects, Alwaleed Foundation.

HRH through Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" has donated to many philanthropic causes globally: in 2011, a donation was made for much needed relief aid for the Earth Quake Victims of Japan and for the New Zealand Earth Quake Victims. In 2010, an immediate SR 10 million donation was made for the flood victims of Pakistan that had left over 20 million homeless and 1600 dead. In 2009, an immediate donation given to help the Yemenis displaced by the conflict in Sa’da district. In the same year, a donation was made for the earthquake victims of Indonesia to help construct three earthquake-resistant orphanages for the children orphaned by the disaster. Also in 2009, a donation was made for to aid the Typhoon Ketsana victims of the Philippines and an immediate donation was made for much needed food aid for the flood and landslide victims of Vietnam caused by the same typhoon. In addition, a donation of $500,000 was made to help alleviate the suffering of Bangladesh Cyclone victims. In 2008, 16 electric generators at a value of $500,000 to Republic of Tajikistan’s areas that were affected by the year’s harsh winter.

HRH’s philanthropic grants and donations over 60 countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe; from Gaza to The Gambia, totaling more than $2.4 billion over the last 30 years. HRH has established three Foundations to handle his philanthropic activities across the globe under the slogan “Commitment Without Boundaries”: Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation in Saudi Arabia, Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation in Lebanon, and Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation-Global registered in Lebanon. His foundations work locally, regionally and internationally to combat poverty, strengthen interfaith and intercultural dialogue and empower women and youth.

Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" encourages and supports organizations, studies, and academic centers focusing on empowering Saudi women, alleviating poverty, upgrading services provided to the population, enhancement of social infrastructures in the country. The foundation is also directly involved in major projects that provide direct aid to the citizens of Saudi Arabia ranging from medical aid to housing where hundreds of housing units have been provided to poor families as part of a 10 year project. Other projects the foundation is involved in include the distribution of electric generators to remote villages and, printing and the translation of the holy Quran into13 languages.

As an extension of Prince Alwaleed’s commitment to improving the world “Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global"” obtained its license in 2009 from the Ministry of Social Affairs. In the past 30 years of charity and humanitarian work HRH has donated more than SR9 billion to this cause.

Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" – Global works to provide women and youth in the MENA region with economic and educational opportunities, through strategic philanthropic investments in sustainable projects of the Foundation’s various partner organizations. It tackles poverty and provides rapid aid in cases of natural disasters internationally. The foundation also reframes perceptions of Islam and the West through dialogue, programs and educational centers around the world in order to promote a greater understanding between the different faiths and world views.