Alwaleed donates $19m to victims

Alwaleed donates $19m to victims

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the world's fourth-richest man, donated US$19 million to the victims of last month's Indian Ocean tsunami in a televised telethon after criticism the Gulf Arab monarchies hadn't given enough aid.

The donation comprised $4 million in cash, one million articles of clothing valued at $11.7 million, and 10,000 tents worth $3.3 million, according to an e-mailed statement sent by the Kingdom Holding Company.

"Our contribution is to ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters in South Asia," Alwaweed said. "We believe that humanitarian aid is a responsibility shared by all, and that it transcends religion, race and geographic boundaries."

Saudi Arabia yesterday started a campaign to raise funds for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami, which left more than 155,000 people dead or missing. As of yesterday, the governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates had between them pledged $60 million, compared with $688 million from Germany, $500 million from Japan and $350 million from the U.S. -- Bloomberg