The Indian consulate and community in Saudi Arabia distributed food on Saturday night among Indians who lost their job and were on the brink of starvation in the foreign country.

More than 10,000 Indians are facing severe food shortage after losing their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said the condition in Saudi Arabia was worse and the Indian government had asked the consulate in Riyadh to provide free ration to unemployed Indians.

Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Indian passport holders outside India, most of them are employed as blue collar workers. The oil-rich country has often been criticised for human rights violations and difficult working conditions for migrant workers, a charge its government denies.

Sushma Swaraj assured that she was monitoring the food-distribution process and requested the 3 million Indians in Saudi Arabia to help “fellow brothers and sisters”.