MADRID — Saudi Arabia has provided more than $96 billion in humanitarian and relief assistance to 167 countries around the world between 1996 and 2023, according to a top official leading the country's humanitarian projects.

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), made the remarks during a meeting with media professionals and influencers in Madrid, Spain. on the sidelines of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) Conference. The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Madrid Azzam Al-Qain.

Al-Rabeeah explained that KSrelief works with a vision to become a pioneering international hub for humanitarian and relief activities by applying the highest international standards in the field.

He said since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief implemented 2,402 humanitarian projects in 92 countries around the world, valued at $6.248 billion and covering several vital sectors, including food security, education, health, social protection, nutrition, water, environment, logistics, sheltering, and others.

The KSrelief General Supervisor further said the center's humanitarian projects were implemented in partnerships with 175 international organizations, and the majority of these projects were in Yemen — a total of 814 projects valued at over $4 billion.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah said —the center implemented more than 885 humanitarian projects for women and 815 projects for children around the world with a total of 381 voluntary programs in the medical, educational, and training fields, benefiting more than 937, 0000 individuals in 33 countries.

He said the center has launched several initiatives to improve the humanitarian work in the Kingdom, including the National Volunteer Portal and the “Sahem” (or “contribute” in English) campaign.

He also reviewed many quality projects implemented by the center, including the KSrelief Masam Project, which has dismantled more than 402,000 landmines planted across Yemen, and the KSrelief-supported Prosthetic Limbs and Rehabilitation Center in Yemen.

The KSrelief General Supervisor explained that the Center’s humanitarian work also covers Syrian refugees and relief assistance delivered to people affected by crises and natural disasters in Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Syria, and Sudan.

He said the Kingdom is considered among the largest host countries for refugees, as it is home to 1,074,153 refugees from Yemen, Syria, and Myanmar who are offered job opportunities, free medication, and education at public schools.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah also touched on the Kingdom's efforts in combating the coronavirus pandemic internationally, noting that the Kingdom has provided $863 million in this regard, implemented 103 projects, and donated vaccine doses and supplies to more than 41 countries. — SPA