The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz has ordered that SR13,125,000 be appropriated for implementing a number of development programs and projects in earthquake and tsunami stricken countries in South Asia, it was announced here on Tuesday evening. Dr. Saed Alorabi Alharthi, Advisor to the Minister of Interior and head of the Saud charity campaign to assist the victims of the earthquake and tidal sea waves in South Asia, told reporters yesterday that a Saudi relief team is currently visiting the region to assess the situation, estimate the requirements for the coming phase and propose the mechanisms to carry them out. So far, Saudi Arabia has provided more than 1000 tons of relief assistance worth $5,000,000 airlifted to the area aboard 14 cargo planes, Dr. Alharthi said. He added that Saudi donations for the victims of the disaster in South Asia are still going on, reminding that a telethon held upon directives of the King and following his personal donation and that of Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz has generated more than SR150 million in one night.
