Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment To Humanitarian Action At OCHA Donor Group Meeting In Geneva

Saudi Arabia, through Dr. Aqeel Al-Ghamdi of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), took part in the OCHA Donor Support Group's Expert-level Meeting in Geneva. Representatives from 30 countries attended to discuss OCHA's reset plan, reform efforts, budget, and humanitarian priorities amid global funding challenges.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi stressed Saudi Arabia's dedication to global humanitarian efforts under the principle of "People First." He highlighted the need for improved coordination between donors and OCHA to ensure aid reaches those most in need. Transparent mechanisms are vital for prioritizing resources toward urgent interventions due to the growing funding gap.

The importance of humanitarian diplomacy was emphasized by Dr. Al-Ghamdi as a crucial tool in OCHA’s coordination efforts. This diplomacy ensures access to populations affected by crises and disasters. He mentioned Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting Jeddah talks on Sudan, integrating humanitarian considerations into peace negotiations to facilitate relief operations.

Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts in Gaza were also highlighted by Dr. Al-Ghamdi. These efforts were crucial in securing food and medicine entry during critical times. The meeting participants discussed progress on implementing the humanitarian reset plan and strengthening coordination with local partners in affected regions.

Participants examined mechanisms for setting humanitarian priorities and discussed the implications of the 2026 budget cuts on OCHA’s operational capabilities. The meeting underscored that this period is pivotal for international humanitarian action, calling for stronger partnerships and greater donor solidarity to address funding shortfalls.

The discussions also focused on enhancing international coordination to improve humanitarian aid effectiveness. Strengthening partnerships is essential to ensure sustainable and effective global humanitarian response efforts amid these challenges.

The meeting concluded with a call for increased collaboration among donors to address financial gaps. Ensuring sustainability and effectiveness in global humanitarian responses remains a priority as funding challenges persist.

With inputs from SPA