Saturday 19 January 2013, Riyadh
Within the framework of the longstanding partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today in Riyadh between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by the Saudi Fund for Development through H.E. Eng. Yousef Al-Bassam, and UNHCR Regional Representative for the GCC Mr. Imran Riza.
The MOU extends urgent financial support to UNHCR’s humanitarian program in Myanmar in providing shelter to Rohingya affected people in Rakhine state with a total value of USD 1,883,735. Through this generous support, UNHCR will be able to provide temporary and permanent shelters for around 75,000 displaced persons.
Upon the signing of this agreement and commencement of this urgent relief program to the Rohingya, UNHCR Representative for the Gulf region Mr. Imran Riza, highlighted the importance of this kind assistance in terms of value, timing, and significance for improving the living conditions of many of displaced people in that area who are facing a complex and growing humanitarian crisis.
Additionally, Mr. Riza and on behalf of the High Commissioner, Mr. Antonio Guterres, expressed his highest appreciation and deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HM King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, for this generous contribution which clearly reflects Saudi leadership in humanitarian response in general and the alleviation of the plight of refugees and displaced persons in particular. The partnership with the Saudi Find for Development includes collaboration in Pakistan, also providing permanent shelters to the displaced persons.