The Saudi Popular Campaign for Assistance to victims of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan has issued a report on its efforts, activities and projects provided to lessen the suffering of the people affected by the quake. The earthquake hit the northern area of Pakistan in October, 2005 with a strength measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, resulting in the death and displacement of more than a million people. The report highlights the noble image and the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and Second Deputy Premier in combating poverty and assisting needy people all over the world. The report pointed to the contribution of people in all regions of the Kingdom in response to the call of King Abdullah for the relief of the victims of the earthquake, noting that total contributions stood at SR350 million. In implementation of the directives of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior, and General Supervisor of the campaign, the report said that 4,875 tons of wheat had been distributed in cooperation with the UN World Food Program, benefiting more than 270,000 people in the quake-affected areas. The report also disclosed the additional allocation of SR150 million to provide housing for victims of the earthquake. It stated that the campaign sent two planes loaded with 140 tons of relief materials and emergency medical supplies. The report noted that relief materials worth SR37 million that were shipped to campaign warehouses in Pakistan and 1,295 trucks were dispatched to distribute supplies to people affected by the earthquake.
