Although the bulk of development assistance is provided through the SFD and other specialized Saudi organizations, the government occasionally provides such aid directly to other governments through bilateral accords. Various government agencies and charitable organizations also finance a number of development projects throughout the world. Such projects have helped establish more than 1,300 schools, 140 hospitals and clinics, and hundreds of orphanages and shelters for widows in 97 countries. Additionally, the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) provides interest-free soft loans to finance development projects, specifically to Muslim countries and Muslim minorities. In the past two decades, the bank has extended more than 20 billion dollars in such loans.
Saudi Arabia also channels billions of dollars for development projects in underdeveloped countries through regional and international organizations. The Kingdom is a major contributor to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Finance Corporation, the International Development Agency, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the African Development Bank, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Monetary Fund and various United Nations development and relief agencies.
Saudi Arabia also channels billions of dollars for development projects in underdeveloped countries through regional and international organizations. The Kingdom is a major contributor to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Finance Corporation, the International Development Agency, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the African Development Bank, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Monetary Fund and various United Nations development and relief agencies.