Saudi Dates Bring Hope and Nourishment to Conflict-Affected Mozambicans
Written By Maxine Ansah
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MAPUTO – In a powerful act of solidarity, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sent 23 metric tonnes of premium dates to northern Mozambique, a region grappling with conflict and displacement. Coordinated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and delivered in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the donation is set to support over 100,000 vulnerable women, children and families in Cabo Delgado Province.
Dates have long held cultural and nutritional significance in Saudi Arabia. Rich in fibre, antioxidants and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron, they offer immediate nourishment to families battling food insecurity. The shipment arrived at the Port of Nacala before being swiftly transported north, where distribution has already begun.
“These dates will strengthen the diets of 100,000 people, especially women and children, and represent a meaningful gesture of solidarity from the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the people of Mozambique,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique.
Mr. Mishaal Bin Shail, Acting Charge d’affaires of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Mozambique, echoed this sentiment. “The gift of dates is a quiet yet powerful symbol of goodwill reflecting shared values, strengthening the bonds of friendship between our nations, and echoing a broader spirit of care and solidarity that defines the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s engagement with vulnerable communities”.
Mozambique is currently facing its most severe food security crisis in years. According to the WFP, around five million people require urgent humanitarian assistance, and nearly 40 percent of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. Conflict and climate shocks have displaced countless families in the north, making external support vital.
Saudi Arabia’s aid, coordinated through KSrelief, plays a central role in its humanitarian strategy. Since its establishment in 2015 under the guidance of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, KSrelief has delivered impartial aid to more than 100 countries. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia provided 160 metric tonnes of dates to Mozambique, underlining its ongoing commitment to the country’s recovery and resilience.
As these dates reach families in Cabo Delgado, they serve not only as a source of nutrition but also as a tangible reminder that solidarity knows no borders.