Saudi diplomat distributes food items among displaced families at Jalozai

NOWSHERA: The World Food Programme (WFP) has commenced distribution of 396 metric tonnes of dates - a humanitarian aid from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - among the temporarily displaced families from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) at Jalozai Camp.

These dates are a gift from King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and will be distributed among 148,000 registered displaced families of Fata.The distribution of dates started in Jalozai Camp in the presence of Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Jassim bin Mohammed al-Khalidi, officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and WFP Pakistan representative, Lola Castro.

Director Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Israr Khan, Director Operations Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) Dr Qasim Ali Khan and Deputy Secretary Ministry of Safron Mirza M. Sanaul Haque were present on the occasion.

The deputy head of mission reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue supporting relief efforts for the affected communities of Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Saudi Arabia has close brotherly relations with Pakistan and the wellbeing of the people of Pakistan is of great importance to the kingdom,” he said.

The WFP representative briefly highlighted WFP’s projects in the area along with future plans of transition towards sustainable food security in the region.“The WFP welcomes this donation and we look forward to continuing and broadening the partnership with the Saudi government. Dates are an instant source of nutrition as they provide a range of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals,” Lola Castro said

He said, “Dietary diversification is an important feature in the improvement of micronutrient intake and status and, in turn, leads towards better nutrition. This is especially crucial in the case of populations affected by shocks whose ability to purchase or produce food is limited.”

At another function, Ambassador of European Union (EU) Jean Francois Cautain inaugurated Solar Technician Training Lab at Ummah College of Technology (UTC) in Soriakhel. The Ummah Welfare Trust (Pak) established UCT in Soriakhel for providing technical education facilities for deserving students.