As part of its yearly gesture of helping to boost the nutritional needs of Cameroonians that began in 2006, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday, April 26, 2013 offered 100 metric tonnes of dates for distribution in the country's ten regions. A further 100 tonnes for relief purposes are expected in the country soon.

Speaking at the event at the Saudi Embassy at Bastos-Yaounde, Ambassador Mahmoud bin Hussein Qattan announced that details of the distribution will be worked out this week. Distribution, he explained, will be carried out through ministries and community associations with main beneficiaries being inmates and women. Last year's beneficiaries included nursing mothers, school canteens and refugees.

Receiving the gift on behalf of government was Mohamadou Moustafa, Director of Asian and Pacific Affairs and Relations with Organisation of Islamic Conference Countries in the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX. He gave assurances that distribution will be done openly and in an objective manner to enable everyone benefit from it. While expressing gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the donation, Mohamadou Moustafa, said the gift was timely as it comes before the beginning of this year's Ramadan fast. He said the consumption of dates has a special religious significance to Moslems and is considered their best gift.

Wonderfully delicious, dates are said to be some of the popular fruits that contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. Fresh dates are composed of soft, easily digestible flesh and simple sugars like fructose and dextrose. When eaten, they reportedly replenish energy and revitalise the body instantly. Because of these qualities, dates have been used to break the Moslem Ramadan fast since ancient times.