RIYADH — UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths has praised Saudi Arabia’s relief efforts being carried out through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to support Yemen with the aim of alleviating the suffering of the country’s people in the current humanitarian crisis.

Griffiths said Saudi Arabia is not only an important donor to Yemen but also to all needy countries in the world.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following his visit to KSrelief’s headquarters Wednesday, Griffiths referred to the great achievements of the Kingdom through KSrelief in Yemen, such as clearing lands of Houthi mines, rehabilitating children affected by the conflict, programs of food security and enhancing healthcare, in addition to efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and limit its risks.

Griffiths expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia on its generous financial support provided for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other UN agencies. He stressed that the Kingdom will have a central role in the future administration of OCHA.

The existing cooperation between OCHA and KSrelief has several aspects and is not limited to financing, he said, adding that both sides cooperate in combating several challenges related to delivering aid to beneficiaries, especially as their humanitarian work focuses on neutrality and non-discrimination.

Griffiths said Saudi Arabia in 2022 will head the presidency of OCHA Donor Support Group, which gives more importance to his current visit to the Kingdom. — SPA