Saudi Gazette report

BRUSSELS — The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) signed on Monday a $5 million joint project agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance food security, fostering economic recovery, and strengthening resilience of local communities in Syria by rehabilitating 33 bread production units in eight of Syria's 14 governorates.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and KSrelief General Supervisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement on the sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Brussels. The rehabilitation project includes basic restoration work, installation of new production lines, maintenance of existing ones, and the rehabilitation of two mobile bread production units.

At present, over 12.4 million people, or more than 60 percent of the population, face food insecurity in Syria after fourteen years of conflict. The damage sustained to government-run bakeries during the crisis has severely disrupted bread production, exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable communities. The lack of resources for infrastructure repair has further delayed recovery, making the rehabilitation of these bakeries an essential step toward stabilizing the food supply and supporting economic recovery.

The project aims to bolster food security in regions with high numbers of returnees, displaced persons, and host communities by reinstating the basic operations of government-operated bakeries that have suffered damage. Through rehabilitation and increased production capacity, the project will help meet the essential needs of the population. Additionally, it is expected to create 500 jobs in the bakery sector, contributing to local economic recovery.

This endeavor is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support food security and mitigate the hardships faced by affected populations worldwide, and that is in collaboration with United Nations humanitarian agencies.