Cynthia Ezegwu
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated 69 metric tonnes of dates to vulnerable populations in Nigeria through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The donation was handed over on Monday in Abuja. Speaking at the ceremony, WFP Country Director, Mr. David Stevenson, commended Saudi Arabia for the gesture, describing it as a boost to humanitarian efforts in the country.
He said the dates would benefit vulnerable communities in the North-East, particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State.
“The 69 metric tonnes of dates are planned to reach not less than 34,000 households, approximately 170,000 people, with each household receiving two kilograms of dates. Distribution will take place in IDP camps across Damasak, Mafa, Dikwa and Damboa between October and December,” Stevenson said.
He explained that the WFP would align the distribution with its food assistance cycles and conduct sensitisation exercises to ensure the donation was well received and appropriately utilised.
The Chargé D’Affaires of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Mr. Saad Fahad Almarri, said the donation was made through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre as part of Saudi Arabia’s global humanitarian commitments.
“Today’s handover represents our shared commitment to provide necessary assistance, relief and food security, especially in the North East of Nigeria. Since its inception, the Centre has executed 3,690 projects in 108 countries at about $8.1 billion,” Almarri said.
He added that the Kingdom was committed to extending further assistance to Nigeria, including food baskets, healthcare programmes such as blindness prevention and open-heart surgeries, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, who was represented by the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Jummai Katagun, described the donation as “a symbol of compassion, partnership and shared humanity.”
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He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and ensuring that interventions were integrated into broader strategies for resilience and stability.
“For many vulnerable households across the country, particularly those grappling with the impact of conflict, displacement, poverty and food insecurity, this intervention will provide much-needed relief and comfort,” Sununu said.
He commended Saudi Arabia for its consistent humanitarian support and praised the WFP as a trusted partner in the fight against hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dates are widely consumed for their nutritional and health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels.