PRETORIA — The International Islamic Relief Organization Saudi Arabia (IIROSA), an affiliate of the Muslim World League, launched a project to distribute relief materials to several hundreds of poor families in different parts of South Africa last week.

The launching ceremony was held at IIROSA's Southern African Regional Office in the presence of Dr. Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of Muslim World League; Hassan Darweesh Shahbar, secretary-general of IIROSA; and Director of IIROSA’s Regional office in South Africa Sheikh Waleed Al-Saadi as well as several senior officials.

The relief supplies including wheat, rice, sugar, oil, corn and blankets were distributed among the poor and the needy families, both Muslim and non-Muslim. Food distributions were carried out under the supervision of Dr. Al-Issa,

“IIROSA is always ready to extend hands in help with all organizations and countries with an aim to benefit the poor and the needy as well as to alleviate their suffering. However, by sponsoring this relief material, IIROSA set to gain a better overall humanitarian experience, which is one of the goals the organization set for itself in its strategic plan,” said Shabhar.

During his visit to South Africa, Dr. Al-Issa laid the foundation stones for the expansion of the International Islamic Relief Clinic for the Islamic World Eye Association in Durban and the construction of a school in Baderbaan, in addition to inaugurating the drilling of wells in the village of Enanda in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The ceremony was held in the presence of Edward Zum, South African president’s son.

IIROSA recently formed a partnership with McCord Provincial Hospital and carried out free eye cataract surgery for 350 patients in Durban.