RABAT — Alwaleed Philanthropies, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement their joint initiative to help 10 countries curb the adverse impacts of coronavirus pandemic. A statement issued by ICESCO stated that this initiative includes providing humanitarian assistance to the needy, especially the elderly, people with special needs, centers for women who are victims of violence, orphanages, refugees and patients in health centers and hospitals. The initiative also includes capacity-building in the production of sanitizers and protective equipment to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic, and support to the private sector, women and youth entrepreneurs. The MoU stipulates that Alwaleed Philanthropies, over a period of one year, would provide over $2 million in aid as a contribution to the efforts made to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Mauritania and Côte d"Ivoire. — SPA