Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1002
2009-08-04 09:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI RED CRESCENT ACTIVE IN DARFUR, SOMALIA,
how-toVZCZCXRO4057 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1002/01 2160910 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 040910Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1332 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001002
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP
DEPT PASS TO USAID/OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RED CRESCENT ACTIVE IN DARFUR, SOMALIA,
NIGERIA, MALDIVES
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001002
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP
DEPT PASS TO USAID/OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RED CRESCENT ACTIVE IN DARFUR, SOMALIA,
NIGERIA, MALDIVES
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) The Saudi Red Crescent is operational in several
countries but has the bulk of its operations within Saudi
Arabia. They will be building more than 20 new health
centers in Darfur, and possibly water distribution stations,
but are not involved in providing any relief to IDPs in
Pakistan. They are looking to increase their staff by 2,000
over the next year as well as acquire 30 new aircraft. End
summary.
SAUDI RED CRESCENT: EXPANDING AND ON THE GROUND
-------------- --
2. (SBU) In an August 1 meeting with Econcouns, the acting
president of the Saudi Red Crescent (SRC),Faiz Ali
Al-Ahmari, gave an overview of the organization's domestic
and international operations. The SRC currently has 5,000
employees and is looking to expand that to 7,000 over the
next year. Unlike the large portion of Saudi assistance that
is delivered with a checkbook, the SRC combines a variety of
approaches, ranging from deploying teams of Saudis as part of
'mobile' hospitals to hiring local staff to carry out their
programs.
ASSISTANCE TO DARFUR
--------------
3. (SBU) Al-Ahmari confirmed recent press reports stating the
SRC would be channeling roughly $20 million (other sources
have reported $18 million) in Saudi assistance to Darfur. He
said this would come in the form of 21 new health centers
(some media reports indicated 28). Al-Ahmari emphasized the
$20 million donation was just to cover start-up costs, and
that further contributions would follow to support the
operation of the health centers. Al-Ahmari did not indicate
the projected dollar amount of this additional assistance.
These centers would be staffed by some Saudi personnel, but
predominantly by Sudanese. A recent Sudanese News Agency
article asserted the SRC would build 21 water "stations" in
addition to the health centers.
OTHER RECIPIENTS
--------------
4. (SBU) When asked what other countries the SRC is active
in, Al-Ahmari responded that they are currently building a
hospital in Kyrgyzstan, operate a number of health clinics in
the Maldives, and have projects in Nigeria, Somalia,
Pakistan, and others. The SRC has just recently closed their
office in Kosovo and has not to date been involved in
providing any assistance to internal refugees in Pakistan
displaced by recent fighting in the northwest. (Though
through other channels, Saudi Arabia donated five plane-loads
of relief supplies to Pakistan.)
DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
--------------
5. (SBU) Within the Kingdom, the SRC operates several hundred
ambulances and has indicated an interest to the Embassy's
Commercial section in acquiring more. According to
Al-Ahmari, the SRC is in the process of buying 30 Embraer
aircraft for domestic use. He said that during the upcoming
Hajj they will have 2 aircraft on standby to move patients
around the country if needed to ease the burden on hospitals
in and around Mecca.
6. (SBU) The SRC used to report to the Ministry of Health.
However, with the 2006 appointment of HRH Prince Faisal bin
Abdullah bin Abdelaziz to head the organization, this
changed. They now report through Prince Faisal directly to
the King (Faisal's father). Al-Ahmari said this gives them
"more support," identifying their relative freedom to
allocate their budget as they see fit (90 percent of which
comes from the government) as an indication of this autonomy.
BIOGRAPHIC NOTE
--------------
7. (SBU) Al-Ahmari revealed that he had received his masters
degree in public health at an unidentified university in New
Orleans. He has visited the U.S. twice since his graduation,
and seems to have a positive impression of the U.S., but has
RIYADH 00001002 002 OF 002
not visited since 9/11. His son is currently visiting San
Diego for the summer.
8. (SBU) Al-Ahmari noted in passing his admiration of the
President's speech in Cairo.
COMMENT
--------------
9. (SBU) Local contacts tell us that Prince Faisal is eager
to raise the profile of the Saudi Red Crescent. With the
Prince absent on holiday, Al-Ahmari was unwilling to discuss
possible areas of cooperation between SRC and OFDA. We will
raise this when the Prince returns.
ERDMAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP
DEPT PASS TO USAID/OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RED CRESCENT ACTIVE IN DARFUR, SOMALIA,
NIGERIA, MALDIVES
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) The Saudi Red Crescent is operational in several
countries but has the bulk of its operations within Saudi
Arabia. They will be building more than 20 new health
centers in Darfur, and possibly water distribution stations,
but are not involved in providing any relief to IDPs in
Pakistan. They are looking to increase their staff by 2,000
over the next year as well as acquire 30 new aircraft. End
summary.
SAUDI RED CRESCENT: EXPANDING AND ON THE GROUND
-------------- --
2. (SBU) In an August 1 meeting with Econcouns, the acting
president of the Saudi Red Crescent (SRC),Faiz Ali
Al-Ahmari, gave an overview of the organization's domestic
and international operations. The SRC currently has 5,000
employees and is looking to expand that to 7,000 over the
next year. Unlike the large portion of Saudi assistance that
is delivered with a checkbook, the SRC combines a variety of
approaches, ranging from deploying teams of Saudis as part of
'mobile' hospitals to hiring local staff to carry out their
programs.
ASSISTANCE TO DARFUR
--------------
3. (SBU) Al-Ahmari confirmed recent press reports stating the
SRC would be channeling roughly $20 million (other sources
have reported $18 million) in Saudi assistance to Darfur. He
said this would come in the form of 21 new health centers
(some media reports indicated 28). Al-Ahmari emphasized the
$20 million donation was just to cover start-up costs, and
that further contributions would follow to support the
operation of the health centers. Al-Ahmari did not indicate
the projected dollar amount of this additional assistance.
These centers would be staffed by some Saudi personnel, but
predominantly by Sudanese. A recent Sudanese News Agency
article asserted the SRC would build 21 water "stations" in
addition to the health centers.
OTHER RECIPIENTS
--------------
4. (SBU) When asked what other countries the SRC is active
in, Al-Ahmari responded that they are currently building a
hospital in Kyrgyzstan, operate a number of health clinics in
the Maldives, and have projects in Nigeria, Somalia,
Pakistan, and others. The SRC has just recently closed their
office in Kosovo and has not to date been involved in
providing any assistance to internal refugees in Pakistan
displaced by recent fighting in the northwest. (Though
through other channels, Saudi Arabia donated five plane-loads
of relief supplies to Pakistan.)
DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
--------------
5. (SBU) Within the Kingdom, the SRC operates several hundred
ambulances and has indicated an interest to the Embassy's
Commercial section in acquiring more. According to
Al-Ahmari, the SRC is in the process of buying 30 Embraer
aircraft for domestic use. He said that during the upcoming
Hajj they will have 2 aircraft on standby to move patients
around the country if needed to ease the burden on hospitals
in and around Mecca.
6. (SBU) The SRC used to report to the Ministry of Health.
However, with the 2006 appointment of HRH Prince Faisal bin
Abdullah bin Abdelaziz to head the organization, this
changed. They now report through Prince Faisal directly to
the King (Faisal's father). Al-Ahmari said this gives them
"more support," identifying their relative freedom to
allocate their budget as they see fit (90 percent of which
comes from the government) as an indication of this autonomy.
BIOGRAPHIC NOTE
--------------
7. (SBU) Al-Ahmari revealed that he had received his masters
degree in public health at an unidentified university in New
Orleans. He has visited the U.S. twice since his graduation,
and seems to have a positive impression of the U.S., but has
RIYADH 00001002 002 OF 002
not visited since 9/11. His son is currently visiting San
Diego for the summer.
8. (SBU) Al-Ahmari noted in passing his admiration of the
President's speech in Cairo.
COMMENT
--------------
9. (SBU) Local contacts tell us that Prince Faisal is eager
to raise the profile of the Saudi Red Crescent. With the
Prince absent on holiday, Al-Ahmari was unwilling to discuss
possible areas of cooperation between SRC and OFDA. We will
raise this when the Prince returns.
ERDMAN