Saudi donates dates for calamity victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Saudi government has donated 100 metric tons of dates for survivors of calamities.

Ambassador Abdullah N.A Al Bussairy handed the donation in ceremonies held at the Saudi Arabia embassy yesterday and attended by representatives of the Saudi Ministry of Finance, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Red Cross and Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippines is among the top beneficiaries of dates from Saudi Arabia.

In September 2008, Saudi Arabia donated two metric tons of dates to the United Nations World Food Program in the Philippines for distribution to 160,000 displaced persons in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sharif Kabunsuan and Maguindanao.