KSrelief Chief Warns Humanitarian Efforts Strained by Crises, Funding Gaps

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided $133 billion in humanitarian and relief assistance to 170 countries between 1996 and 2024. Speaking at a meeting hosted by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in Washington on November 14, 2024, Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted the mounting challenges facing global humanitarian efforts, including escalating crises, funding shortages, and access restrictions.

Context and Background

Dr. Al Rabeeah emphasized that humanitarian operations are increasingly strained by concurrent crises in countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, and Sudan. These emergencies are compounded by soaring administrative and logistical costs, as well as a significant shortfall in funding. The UN Humanitarian Response Plan for 2024 has secured only 37.5% of the necessary $49 billion, leaving a gap of over $30 billion. The limited number of donor countries, climate change-induced natural disasters, economic fluctuations from the COVID-19 pandemic, and threats to aid workers further complicate the landscape.

Key Details

Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,105 projects in 104 countries, valued at over $7.1 billion. Yemen received the largest share—63.12%—amounting to more than $4.5 billion. The center has initiated 1,017 projects supporting women worldwide, benefiting over 153 million women with a total value exceeding $674 million. Additionally, 953 projects dedicated to children, worth over $909 million, have reached more than 181 million young individuals. Dr. Al Rabeeah also highlighted the Masam project, which has cleared over 468,000 landmines in Yemen, and programs for prosthetic limbs and reintegrating children formerly associated with armed conflict.

International Impact

Saudi Arabia hosts over 1.1 million refugees (referred to as visitors), including 561,000 Yemenis, 262,000 Syrians, and 269,000 Rohingya from Myanmar, offering free healthcare, education, and integration support. In Gaza, the Kingdom has provided $186 million in aid, established an air bridge with 54 aircraft and a sea bridge with eight ships, and conducted airdrops. For Sudan, $120 million was allocated, with an air bridge of 13 aircraft and a sea bridge of 31 ships. Saudi Arabia also pledged $400 million to Ukraine, delivering aid via 21 aircraft. The Saudi Sama’a Volunteer Program in Turkiye provided cochlear implants and hearing rehabilitation for earthquake victims, alongside 2,500 temporary housing units. KSrelief also launched an airlift to Lebanon, with 22 planes delivering food, medical supplies, and shelter materials.

Vision 2030 Alignment

These efforts align with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global humanitarian leader. The Kingdom’s proactive response to crises, commitment to innovation through platforms like the Saudi Aid Platform and Sahm, and initiatives such as the World Conjoined Twins Day (November 24) underscore its dedication to sustainable development and international cooperation. The upcoming Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum in February 2025 will further advance these objectives, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a pivotal force in addressing global challenges.

20 Questions

Q1. What is KSrelief?

A1. KSrelief is the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, a Saudi humanitarian agency established in 2015 to coordinate and deliver aid globally.

Q2. Who is Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah?

A2. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah is the Supervisor General of KSrelief, responsible for overseeing the center’s humanitarian projects and international partnerships.

Q3. How much aid has Saudi Arabia provided from 1996 to 2024?

A3. Saudi Arabia provided $133 billion in humanitarian and relief assistance to 170 countries during this period.

Q4. What is the UN Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 funding status?

A4. The plan has secured only 37.5% of its required funds, with a total need of $49 billion but only $18 billion raised.

Q5. How many projects has KSrelief implemented since 2015?

A5. KSrelief has carried out 3,105 projects in 104 countries, valued at over $7.1 billion.

Q6. Which country received the largest share of KSrelief aid?

A6. Yemen received the largest share, 63.12% of total aid, amounting to over $4.5 billion.

Q7. How many women have benefited from KSrelief projects?

A7. Over 153 million women have benefited from 1,017 dedicated projects worth more than $674 million.

Q8. What is the Masam project?

A8. The Masam project is a Saudi initiative to clear landmines in Yemen, having cleared over 468,000 mines.

Q9. How many refugees does Saudi Arabia host?

A9. Saudi Arabia hosts over 1.1 million refugees, including Yemenis, Syrians, and Rohingya, providing free services.

Q10. What aid did Saudi Arabia provide to Gaza?

A10. Saudi Arabia provided $186 million, an air bridge with 54 aircraft, a sea bridge with eight ships, and airdrops.

Q11. How much aid was allocated to Sudan?

A11. Saudi Arabia allocated $120 million for Sudan, with 13 aircraft and 31 ships delivering aid.

Q12. What was Saudi Arabia’s pledge to Ukraine?

A12. Saudi Arabia pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, delivered via 21 aircraft.

Q13. What is the Saudi Sama’a Volunteer Program?

A13. It is a volunteer program for cochlear implantation and hearing rehabilitation, the world’s largest, targeting earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria.

Q14. How many planes have been sent to Lebanon?

A14. As of the statement, 22 planes have carried Saudi aid to Lebanon, including food, medical supplies, and shelter.

Q15. What is the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program?

A15. It is a program for separating conjoined twins, having reviewed 143 cases and performed 61 successful surgeries from 26 countries.

Q16. What is World Conjoined Twins Day?

A16. Designated by the UN on November 24, it is a Saudi initiative to raise awareness and celebrate twin separation achievements.

Q17. When is the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum?

A17. The fourth edition of the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum will be held in February 2025.

Q18. What is the Saudi Aid Platform?

A18. It is a digital platform to track and manage Saudi humanitarian aid, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Q19. How many children have benefited from KSrelief projects?

A19. Over 181 million children have benefited from 953 dedicated projects worth over $909 million.

Q20. What challenges does KSrelief face?

A20. Challenges include escalating crises, funding shortages, access restrictions, and threats to aid workers, as highlighted by Dr. Al Rabeeah.

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