2011-05-08
NEWS STORY

Foundation Donates to Japan Earth Quake Victims

Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud and vice chaired by HH Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel made a donation for much needed relief aid for the Earth Quake Victims of Japan.

The 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the north-east coast of the country, triggering a massive tsunami on 11th of March 2011 with waves up to 38m high, as of 1 May the number of confirmed dead was 14,704, 10,969 were missing or unaccounted for, and 5,178 had been treated for injuries. 126,372 persons displaced by the disaster remained in evacuation centers within the three worst affected prefectures.

Recently, Prince Alwaleed met with His Excellency Mr. Shigeru Endo, Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who thanked His Highness for the donation to Japan’s Earthquake victims. Also during the meeting the two discussed various issues on the economic and social front.

The allocation and distribution of the donation to those in need was in coordination with the Japanese Red Cross, and with the Japanese Embassy with the supervision of Ms. Halla Angawi, Executive Manager of International Projects Department in the Foundation. The Japanese Red Cross as a member of the IFRC (international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. As part of the Japanese Red Cross relief operation, more than 125,000 blankets, 183,000 pieces of clothing, 26,000 emergency relief kits and 11,000 sleeping kits have been handed out to evacuees.

In some places, the construction of pre-fabricated shelters has started. The Government is building some 70,000 shelters. JRCS has agreed with local administrations to provide each of these houses with a package of appliances. This includes refrigerators, washing machines, cooking utensils etc. JRCS will further explore different projects, with support of Movement partners, targeting the most vulnerable.

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 in Lebanon. His foundations work locally, regionally and internationally to combat poverty, strengthen interfaith and intercultural dialogue and empower women and youth.

The “Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global"” encourages and supports organizations, studies, and academic centers focusing on empowering Saudi women, alleviating poverty, upgrading services provided to the population, and other social infrastructure issues that face 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.

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. One of the many donations for rapid aid includes a substantial donation to South East Asia’s Tsunami victims. 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, part of which includes an endowment to the Louvre Museum in support of its collection of Islamic art.