The Secretariat General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held here Monday a press conference to announce the generous donation of Saudi Arabia, chair of the 14th Islamic Summit and the host country of OIC, of SR20 million to support OIC's initiative to provide COVID-19 vaccines for health workers and the elderly in the less developed countries of OIC member states. The OIC initiative is in coordination with King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and will benefit 22 member countries, including Palestine. OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to OIC Dr. Saleh Bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, and Director of KSrelief's Branch in Jeddah Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Al-Zahrani attended the press conference in which the announcement of the donation was made. Dr. Al-Othaimeen stressed that this initiative is part of continuous efforts that the organization exerts to enhance Islamic solidarity, support causes of the Islamic world and develop the Islamic joint action in all fields among member states and with the rest of the world. During the conference, he said that the Secretariat General appreciates the generous support by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is considered the first response to the organization's call to provide vaccines for less developed countries. Dr. Al-Othaimeen also expressed thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, head of the Islamic Summit, and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, for their support and quick response to support the organization's initiative. He also thanked member states that offered COVID-19 vaccines under bilateral cooperation for the neediest countries. — SPA
