KSrelief Donates 667 Metric Tonnes of Dates for Rohingya Children in Bangladesh

Arakan Now | May 22, 2025

Saudi Arabia has donated 667 metric tonnes of dates through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support Rohingya children in Bangladesh, as BSS (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha) reported.

The donation was formally handed over at a ceremony in Dhaka, attended by representatives from KSrelief, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and WFP.

The dates will be distributed under WFP’s school feeding programme, which currently benefits around 250,000 Rohingya children attending 3,500 learning centres in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

WFP stressed the urgency of funding, noting it requires $106 million over the next year to maintain its Rohingya operations. Of that, $83 million is needed to ensure full food rations for the entire Rohingya population.

The donation comes during a critical period. In March, WFP faced a severe funding shortfall and warned of potential ration cuts starting in April.

“We are proud to stand with the Rohingya people and to support WFP’s efforts to deliver vital food assistance,” said Abdulaziz Fahad M. Al Ibrahim, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dhaka.

“Providing nutritious food to Rohingya children is essential not only for their health, but for their hope and dignity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Bangladesh Country Director.

Since 2017, Saudi Arabia has consistently supported WFP’s humanitarian efforts for Rohingya refugees through both financial aid and in-kind contributions.