KSrelief's Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah Discusses Integrated Approach To Humanitarian Action At UN Event

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief, recently participated in a side event during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The event, titled "The Integrated Approach Among Humanitarian Action, Development and Peace," was organised by KSrelief, SFD, SDRPY, UNDP, and the UK FCDO.

Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that only 17% progress has been made halfway through the 2030 Agenda. He stressed that crises like COVID-19, economic pressures, food insecurity, and natural disasters have hindered efforts, with conflict posing the greatest threat.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively addressing urgent humanitarian needs by providing aid and tackling root causes through diplomacy and strategic interventions. Dr. Al Rabeeah cited Saudi Arabia's evacuation of over 8,000 people from Sudan and a financial commitment exceeding $125 million in humanitarian aid as examples of this commitment.

He emphasised that initiatives like the Jeddah Declaration aim to protect civilians and ensure timely access for humanitarian workers. The ALPS Group Talks in Switzerland have reopened critical humanitarian access routes and secured commitments to protect vulnerable groups, especially women and children.

To tackle complex issues effectively, an integrated approach combining humanitarian action, development efforts, and peacebuilding is essential. This strategy fosters stronger cooperation between relief efforts and development initiatives while contributing to resilience and reducing fragility in affected communities.

Dr. Al Rabeeah mentioned Saudi Arabia's collaboration with UNDP in Yemen as an example of this integrated approach. Initiatives focus on livelihoods, solar energy projects, and social cohesion programs. Additionally, SDRPY implements key development projects to build resilience for a better future for Yemenis.

Partnerships for Greater Impact

The Supervisor General underscored the importance of partnerships in strengthening collective efforts. Collaborations with organisations like SFD and strategic dialogues between Saudi Arabia and the UK highlight Saudi Arabia's commitment to maximising impact and sharing knowledge to enhance humanitarian interventions globally.

"The road ahead requires more collective action and solidarity," Dr. Al Rabeeah stated. "Together we have the power to turn today's challenges into opportunities and ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals become a reality for all, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas."

With inputs from SPA