New York, September 27, 2024, Royal Court Advisor and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah participated in a meeting on the current humanitarian situation in Sudan during the high-level week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) held in New York City.
During the meeting, titled "The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” Dr. Al Rabeeah delivered a speech on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the Sudanese people are facing enormous challenges, working to overcome them, and deserve much from us.
"Recognizing the duty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards Sudan, intensive efforts have been exerted since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis to restore hope to the people,” the KSrelief chief said. “The Jeddah Declaration was the first step, aiming to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of urgent relief aid. The efforts of the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group have also recently helped thousands of needy people in Darfur. However, the recent escalation of violence in some areas has worsened the situation, forcing millions to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they own, and sometimes even family members."
"The Kingdom has provided over $3 billion in support to Sudan, including $132 million in humanitarian aid distributed across various geographical areas and humanitarian sectors,” Dr. Al Rabeeah said. "Prior to the crisis in April 2023, KSrelief focused on implementing sustainable interventions. However, the worsening humanitarian conditions due to the conflict have undermined these efforts, necessitating a shift to providing immediate assistance. KSrelief has doubled its efforts in Sudan, implementing more than 70 humanitarian projects since April 2023 at a cost exceeding $73 million in collaboration with UN organizations and other humanitarian groups."
He highlighted the series of Saudi humanitarian air and sea missions organized by KSrelief to address urgent challenges. The missions are funded through government and public support as part of the KSrelief National Aid Campaign to Provide Urgent Relief for the People of Sudan. Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that despite KSrelief's efforts, challenges persist, and the crisis's impact necessitates collective action to provide unrestricted humanitarian aid and ensure a sustainable, coordinated response with safe and unhindered access to conflict-affected areas.
Concluding his speech, the KSrelief chief said, "As a humanitarian community, we must deal with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan away from political considerations. It is a humanitarian tragedy that requires transcending divisions, and together, we can make a real change that ensures all Sudanese people enjoy equal opportunities to rebuild their lives".
He indicated that the Kingdom continues to do everything possible to end the crisis and achieve stability and security for Sudan and its people.
