Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior, today patronized the launching ceremony of the annual report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) titled UNICEF humanitarian Action Report 2006 in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian people. The report highlights the great role Saudi Arabia is playing in alleviating the suffering of the needy all over the world. Prince Naif was received by senior organizing officials. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saed Alorabi Alharthi, Advisor to the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Saudi Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian People, said the money solicited through telethons to help those inflicted in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, East Asia and Pakistan over the last five years amounted to more than SR1.6 billion. The selection of the Kingdom as base to dedicate the UNICEF annual report 2006 is a recognition of the Kingdom's role in relief and humanitarian efforts, he said. Alharthi said more than 64 programs and projects have considerably contributed to alleviating the sufferings of peoples in Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Pakistan. Within these programs, food, medicine, medical appliances and school tools were provided, medical centers built, homes rehabilitated, new residential units constructed, and water and power networks renovated.
