(WASHINGTON, DC) – Saudi Arabia distributed last week the first batch of 100,000 blankets for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The blankets are being distributed as part of the Saudi National Campaign for the Support of Brothers in Syria to help families get through the winter months ahead.

On Dec. 13, director of the Lebanese-based office of the campaign, Walid Jalal, announced the second phase of the campaign in the Akkar region in northern Lebanon. He said that 100,000 blankets will be distributed during this phase, including the 4,000 blankets that were already distributed to 1,000 Syrian families.

“The extended campaign reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Syrian people,” said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel A. Al-Jubeir. “We are deeply concerned by the prolonged suffering they have endured and are working with the international community to put an end to the crisis.”

In July 2012, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz ordered the immediate establishment of a national campaign to raise donations to support the people of Syria. In addition to humanitarian aid, Saudi Arabia continues to call for a transition of power in Syria, as well as the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against the Syrian regime. The Kingdom has also called for the Syrian issue to be forwarded to the U.N. Security Council under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter and for an end to the transfer of arms to the Syrian regime.