AGFUND approves 10 development projects and supports Yemen internally displaced people and Rohingya refugees

The Board of Directors of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) held its 16th regular meeting at its headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday, December 17, 2017. The meeting was chaired by Eng. Yousef bin Ibrahim Al Bassam, vice president of AGFUND and vice president and Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development, on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz (president of AGFUND). At its 10th meeting, the board of directors approved projects in line with the sustainable development goals 2030, covering the financing of Al Amal Microfinance Bank in Yemen to mitigate impact of displacement due to the Yemeni crisis and to provide decent livelihoods to the families through innovative programmes and products.

The board also approved the support of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, in response to a call from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In reviewing the achievements of AGFUND during 2017, the Board of Director expressed its appreciation for the efforts of HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, which reflected on AGFUND’s contributions to an advanced vision of the sustainable development. The contributions included targeting vulnerable groups, directing the funds to the most important development sectors, combating poverty, achieving financial inclusion, developing education including early childhood, developing health, developing civil society role and empowering women.

The Board of Director approved to support 10 development projects that met AGFUND’s goals and criteria consistent with the sustainable development goals. The projects include empowering battered women, educating mothers and children, supporting people with special needs and strengthening roles of NGOs in achieving development. The approved projects are supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Training Center, Arab Council for Childhood and Development, Arab Network for NGOs, Center of Arab Woman for Training and Research, Amal Bank for Microfinance in Yemen, National Family Safety Program, Saudi Child Care Association and Palestinian Sadaqa Medical Charity Association. The Board of Directors also approved the increment of AGFUND International Prize to be $1 million. This year, the theme of AGFUND’s Prize is “Ensure quality education for all”, goal 4 of sustainable development goals.