RIYADH – A number of international officials and representatives of global relief and humanitarian offices and organizations have lauded Saudi Arabia's role, under leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, in providing relief and humanitarian assistance through King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid.
Following a signing ceremony of one of the executive programs with King Salman Center, John Gang, representative of the United Nations for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies the top position in providing humanitarian assistance, citing the Kingdom's solidarity with Yemen.
He confirmed that King Salman's role is not limited to be a donor but it is a strategic partner with the UN organizations.
For his part, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme Ramiro Lopes da Silva expressed happiness over the presence of King Salman Center for Relief by saying: "The World Food Programme has received a support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1973. Since 2008 until today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provided $1,200,000,000 for the WFP. Signing agreement with King Salman Center renews this sustainable partnership."
On behalf of the director general, Abu Baker Mohammed, representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, his government and King Salman Center for the providing humanitarian services, pointing out that the partnership and cooperation between the organization and the Kingdom began in 1948.
On behalf of all organizations, Amer Daoudi, regional coordinator for humanitarian operations in Yemen, expressed thanks and appreciation of the Saudi government and the center for the relief assistance to the Yemeni people, stressing that the organizations will develop relationships with King Salman Center.
He confirmed that the Kingdom has always provides assistance to the needy people throughout the world.
For his part, Dr. Nasser Baaoum, Yemeni Minister of Health and member of the supreme committee for relief, thanked King Salman for supporting Yemen. "The center provided aid to the needy people in the first two weeks of its establishment," he said, lauding the Kingdom's direct support for Yemen and its health sector.
He stressed that the executive programs often solve health problems in Yemen.
Mohammad Abdul Khair, Director of Operations and Emergencies at International Organization for Migration in Geneva, expressed thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom and the center for their support, praising the strong and active partnership between the two sides to help affected people.
He highlighted that cooperation with the Kingdom in Somalia will vary through assistance provided by the center.
On the other hand, Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Nabil Othman thanked the Kingdom and King Salman Center for helping refugees, pointing out that the center has signed a program with UNHCR to provide support to displaced Yemenis.
He said he looked forward to strengthening partnership with the center, stressing the Kingdom has a honorable record in providing assistance to the displaced people and refugees.
For his part, Dr. Alaa Alwan, Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Office of the World Health Organization, expressed thanks and appreciation of King Salman, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince for supporting the health sector in Yemen, lauding assistance provided by the center for the World Health Organization to perform its work in Yemen.
