The Kingdom Receives around 2.5 m. Syrians, since the outbreak of the
Crisis, Official Source Says
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1397416
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1397417

Jeddah, Dhu-AlQa'dah 27, 1436, Sep 11, 2015, SPA -- The Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia does not intend to speak about its efforts to support Syrian brothers
and sisters, during their distress, as it has, since the beginning of the
problem, dealt with the situation from a religious and humane perspective,
and did not wish to boast about its efforts or attempt to gain media
coverage, an official source of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding
that media reports have contained erroneous and misleading information, and
the Kingdom now considers it important to discuss its efforts with
appropriate facts and figures.

The official source explained that the following actions have been taken by
the Kingdom:

1.The Kingdom has received around 2.5 million Syrians since the beginning of
the conflict. In order to ensure their dignity and safety, the Kingdom
adopted a policy that does not treat them as refugees or place them in
refugee camps. They have been given the freedom to move about the country
and those who wish to remain in Saudi Arabia (some hundreds of thousands)
have been given legal residency status like the remaining residents. Their
residency comes with the rights to receive free medical care, to join the
labor market and to attend schools and universities. This was contained in a
royal decree in 2012 that instructed public schools to accept Syrian
students. According to government statistics, the public school system has
accepted more than 100,000 Syrian students.

2.The Kingdom's efforts were not limited to accepting our Syrian brothers
and sisters after their crisis; it also extended its efforts to support and
care for millions of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries such as
Jordan, Lebanon and others. Efforts included providing them with
humanitarian assistance, in coordination with the host governments and with
international human aid organizations. Aid was provided, in cash and kind.

3.The aid provided by Saudi Arabia to the Syrian people totals around $700
million, according to the statistics of the Third International Humanitarian
Pledging Conference for Syria, which took place in Kuwait on March 31, 2015.
Government aid and aid provided by the National Campaign, are included in
that number.

4.Humanitarian aid provided to Syrians by the Kingdom consisted of food,
medical, academic, residential supplies and included the establishment of
Saudi specialized clinics in refugee camps, especially at Zaatari Camp in
Jordan. The Kingdom was able to provide medical care in the form of
immunization, preventive treatment and medical procedures. In addition,
Saudi Arabia sponsored a large number of Syrian families living in Lebanon
and Syria (specifically, through paying for their rent and living costs).

The ministry official concluded by stating that: It is apparent from the
previous facts, that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain a leader among
other countries supporting Syrian people and it is impossible to outbid its
efforts in this matter, or to question its position in any way or form, the
statement concluded.
-- SPA
23:50 LOCAL TIME 20:50 GMT