Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi hailed Saudi Arabia’s leading role in undertaking humanitarian initiatives throughout the world. Addressing a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday, Grandi said that he has sought the help of Saudi Arabia in the backdrop of huge surge in the number of refugees, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“Humanitarian crises are the outcome of wars or catastrophes currently being witnessed in the world, and the year 2017 has witnessed the displacement of more than two million people, making me seek the help of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has long proven its ability and shown its caliber to resolve humanitarian and political crises in various parts of the world, qualifying it to play a pivotal role in solving such problems,” he said.

Grandi considers the Kingdom as among the world’s leading nations that show great keenness and concern in resolving humanitarian and political problems. He hoped to have continuous cooperation with the Kingdom to address many of the humanitarian problems and crises in a number of places around the world.

The UN official lauded the prudent decision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to establish King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief), which has spearheaded the humanitarian initiatives all over the world, especially for the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He confirmed the keenness of UNHCR in enhancing cooperation with the Riyadh-based KSRelief that came into being following a directive of King Salman and the signing of a cooperation pact on Wednesday to help half a million Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and general supervisor of KSRelief, and Grandi signed the agreement, which aims to enhance strategic cooperation and strategic partnership between the two organizations.

Grandi also drew attention to the KSRelief's humanitarian efforts in the field of relief work in Yemen, as well as its role in the provision of supplies for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries in addition to those who are displaced in Sudan and Somalia.