RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has donated $5 million for the education of Syrian children who have been affected by the ongoing war in their country.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Saudi Fund For Development (SFD) and Unicef for the implementation of the program.

The agreement was inked last week by SFD Vice President and Managing Director Yousef bin Ibrahim Al-Bassam and UNICEF representative Ibrahim Al-Zeeg at the SFD headquarters in Riyadh.

According to the MOU, the funds will be used for the distressed Syrian children studying in primary classes.

The Improved Education Program would benefit more than 600,000 children, 2,400 teachers and around 100 employees attached to educational institutions.

Around two million members of the community have become partners through a variety of programs and activities to improve education.

Unicef, in cooperation with SFD, aims to revitalize the education sector with additional aid and provide children and young people a conducive environment.

“We are grateful for the continued support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which comes in the most difficult times,” Al-Zeeg said.

He said the Kingdom’s donation will reach the deserving children and the Unicef hopes to assist them in several other ways.

The Kingdom has been sending humanitarian aid to several countries hit by conflicts and natural disasters.

It has extended financial aid of more than $3 billion during the last five years to Yemen. In addition, the Kingdom’s financial allocations exceeded 93 percent of its pledges toward that country.

According to a statement released by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Kingdom has been a regular financier to help complete national projects in Yemen.

The SDF is the most prominent supporter for development in Yemen, offering a number of loans and supervising a number of grants in several sectors, notably health, education, roads and water.

These development projects benefited all Yemeni governments, either directly or indirectly.

Saudi Arabia was always keen on extending support and aid to the brotherly Yemeni people, stemming from the historical links between the people of the two countries and aiming to achieve stability and peace in the country.