Saudi Arabia confirmed that it has provided nearly $18 billion worth of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the sufferings of refugees who were displaced from their homelands.
In a speech during a debate on the high commissioner for refugees affairs report at the third committee as part of the 74th general assembly, third secretary Faisal bin Fahd bin Jadeed said political, economic and social changes have forced vast numbers of people to move to Saudi Arabia, seeking better living conditions.
Accordingly, upon humanitarian considerations, the Kingdom has taken number of measures to serve this category.
He said Saudi Arabia has granted more than 50,000 persons the Saudi nationality, and more than 800 identity cards enabling them to move, work, enjoy education, and health care free of charge.
Saudi Arabia grants its nationality to any child whose parents are unknown, he said, adding that the Kingdom is among the world's biggest donors, citing that it has provided more than $160 million for Syrian refugees and is currently implementing as many as 129 programs through KSrelief in support of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece as well as Yemenis in Somalia and Djibouti.
The Kingdom supported the Rohingya with more than $38 million and the Palestinian people with a total of more than $900 million, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition, there are 1.74 million refugees living in Saudi Arabia, but receive visitors treatment upon humanitarian considerations, he concluded.
