RIYADH: UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton on Tuesday called on Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to discuss humanitarian relief programs run by the center. During the meeting, the UK ambassador was briefed on what KSrelief has provided to needy people in more than 70 countries around the world, especially in war-torn Yemen. The ambassador was also briefed on the programs being implemented by KSrelief in cooperation with UN relief and humanitarian organizations. The center’s projects and programs have amounted to more than 1,700 projects in 70 countries, with Yemen being the biggest beneficiary. Other countries to receive aid include Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Sudan. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the global fight against COVID-19 has been instrumental since the outset of the pandemic. To date, it has supported international efforts to combat the pandemic with $825,280,643, of which $119,014,998 was provided through KSrelief. Support included medical and preventive assistance, vaccines and training for medical staff on COVID-19 protocols, and more than 30 countries have benefited. The UK ambassador and the KSrelief chief discussed issues related to humanitarian and relief affairs, and relations between the center and the development department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and ways to enhance further coordination. The envoy earlier also met Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi. “Excellent meeting with Majid Al-Qasabi reviewing the bilateral relationship and enjoying some date ice cream. Hope that as trade and tourism links grow, more Britons will learn about the joys of delicious Saudi dates! Thank you, Majid,” the envoy tweeted.