Half a million people displaced following the demolition of houses in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

A human rights report from Migrantights.org, an organization that advocates for migrant workers rights, revealed the displacement of half a million migrants as part of a new Jeddah project that Saudi officials have been implementing for months.

According to the organization, the targeting of low-income migrant workers living in slums is common in most countries of the Persian Gulf. However, the organization stressed that Saudi officials demolished their homes without thinking about the fate of the migrants living in slums.

The demolition of residential areas in Jeddah is part of the government's plan to replace large-scale projects. At least 10 neighborhoods have been completely destroyed so far, and demolition operations continue in 10 other neighborhoods.

The project targets about 60 areas, mostly in the southern part of the city, and is expected to last for months.

Residents of Jeddah said they were surprised by the demolition of residential areas by Saudi officials as they have very less time to leave their neighborhood and relocate.

Many Jeddah residents also reported that the government did not provide them with temporary housing or compensation, and in fact turned many homeowners into tenants.

The demolition of Jeddah came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a new investment project to build four major world-class buildings, the Opera House, Museum, Sports Stadium and Ocean Pools and Coral Farms. In addition, it has started 10 special tourism projects in the framework of the implementation of the Vision 2030 plans in this city.

Various sources stated that the municipality of Jeddah has given the residents of these neighborhoods 48 hours and some only 24 hours, and has also ordered some to evacuate their homes immediately.

Emphasizing that the compensation given to some is not as much as a third of the value of their homes, the sources added that the municipality of Jeddah will cut off water, electricity and services before the warning.

Saudi officials are demolishing houses and displacing residents under the pretext of developing the city, while dozens of projects stalled in Jeddah for years have not yet been completed.

It seems that the Saudi government is determined to continue destroying the declared neighborhoods regardless of public dissatisfaction.

The project aims to be implemented in the center of Jeddah with the back of Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Replacing these neighborhoods, with a budget of approximately 500 billion Riyals, he considers this project a victory over the slums.