KSrelief Supervisor General Discusses Humanitarian Challenges Amid Funding Shortages And Global Crises

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has extended $133 billion in humanitarian aid to 170 countries from 1996 to 2024, according to Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief). He highlighted these efforts during a meeting by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, focusing on global humanitarian challenges.

Dr. Al Rabeeah identified significant hurdles in humanitarian work, such as rising crises in Lebanon, Palestine, and Sudan. These are worsened by high administrative costs and limited funding sources. The UN Humanitarian Response Plan for 2024 has only secured 37.5% of the required $49 billion, amounting to $18 billion.

Climate change impacts, like natural disasters, economic shifts from events like COVID-19, access restrictions, and threats to aid workers further complicate relief efforts. The limited number of donor countries also adds to these challenges. Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,105 projects across 104 countries with a total value exceeding $7.1 billion.

Yemen has been a primary focus for KSrelief, receiving over $4.5 billion or 63.12% of the centre's total aid. The centre has launched initiatives like the Masam project for landmine clearance and programs for prosthetic limbs and reintegration of children affected by conflict.

KSrelief has prioritised support for women through 1,017 projects worth over $674 million, benefiting more than 153 million women globally. Additionally, children's welfare is a key concern with 953 projects valued at over $909 million aiding more than 181 million children worldwide.

The Saudi Aid Platform and other initiatives like the National Volunteer Portal and Electronic Donations Platform (Sahm) are instrumental in monitoring humanitarian work. Saudi Arabia hosts over 1.1 million refugees referred to as visitors, including more than 561,000 Yemenis, 262,000 Syrians, and 269,000 Rohingyas.

Recent Aid Initiatives

The Kingdom responded swiftly to crises in Gaza with aid totalling $186 million for Palestinians. An air bridge with 54 aircraft and a sea bridge with eight ships were established to deliver food aid amidst border closures by Israeli forces.

Saudi Arabia allocated $120 million in aid for Sudan's current crisis with an air bridge involving 13 aircraft and a sea bridge with 31 ships. Additionally, the Kingdom pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine through an air bridge of 21 aircraft.

Volunteer Programs and Medical Initiatives

The Saudi Sama’a Volunteer Program for Cochlear Implantation was launched in Turkiye focusing on auditory rehabilitation after earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye. This initiative includes providing temporary housing units in Turkiye.

An airlift was initiated by KSrelief to support Lebanon with food, medical supplies, and shelter materials delivered via 22 planes under Saudi leadership directives.

Surgical Achievements

The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program reviewed cases from various countries resulting in successful surgeries separating conjoined twins. November 24 is designated as "World Conjoined Twins Day" by the United Nations following Saudi Arabia's initiative.

A conference will be held this month in Riyadh under King Salman’s patronage marking over three decades since launching the program while planning for the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum in February 2025.

With inputs from SPA