The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on the international community, especially the developed countries, to shoulder their responsibility in alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and reducing the burden on neighboring countries, which bear the bulk of responsibility in providing safe haven for Syrian refugees.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to UN and Other International Organizations Ambassador Faisal Trad as saying in a speech before a high-level meeting on sharing international responsibility to accept Syrian refugees that Saudi Arabia is one of the first countries that have contributed to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people by providing direct financial support for the concerned international organizations or by providing direct aid for neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees.

At the national level, Saud Arabia shouldered the burden of hosting a million Syrians inside the Kingdom now. They are allowed to work and move freely. They are also provided them with health and education services for free. The current number of Syrian students in Saudi schools and universities exceeded 100,000.

At the regional and international level, the total aid provided by Saudi Arabia so far for the Syrians both in Syria and the neighboring countries amounted to $900 m. Also, the Kingdom committed during Kuwait and London Conferences to offer $325 m in aid.

Source:WAM