Saudi Arabia continues to provide aid to those affected by the conflict in Sudan, says the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
More than 8,000 people have been safely evacuated to Jeddah by the navy, Capt Ali bin Hassan Al Ali told The National.
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre this month announced it would provide humanitarian aid worth $100 million to Sudan.
A countrywide fundraising campaign was launched last week to help those affected by the fighting. "Sahem", which means “to contribute” in Arabic, has so far raised SAR 18.7 million ($4.9 million), according to KSRelief.
The centre's team in Sudan met World Food Programme officials on Tuesday.
Capt Al Ali said helping thousands of people reach safety was emotional.
“It was an expressive and profound human image, and seeing all of their faces shifting from fear and sadness to joy and reassurance when they arrived in the kingdom after living through the events in Sudan. All of this was mirrored in the happiness of the children, the elderly, and everyone who was welcomed,” he said.
“The Royal Saudi Naval Forces, with the support of the rest of the armed forces branches, have carried out 21 successful naval evacuation operations to this day.
“This resulted in the success of evacuating more than 8,000 thousand people, including 247 Saudi citizens and more than 8,000 people from 110 different nationalities of brotherly and friendly countries.”
He said the evacuations “come from the guidance of the government of Saudi Arabia to help people, with no regard to their nationalities, religion or colour”.
The campaign was launched by the directives of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed and the Minister of Defence, “to achieve the role assigned to the RSNF in order to implement the process of evacuating Saudi citizens and nationals of brotherly and friendly countries”, he said.
He said evacuees' basic needs such as “medical subjects, food, and comfort” were looked after by the navy, “until they arrive at the port of King Faisal Naval Base, where they are greeted by navy officials with flowers and chocolate”.
Ambulances were also on standby to offer help when needed.
“The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs then worked with their embassies to transfer them to their respective countries in complete safety and security,” said Capt Al Ali.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Living in...
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
