Riyadh, December 6, 2024 – In a world increasingly shaped by humanitarian challenges, natural disasters, and ongoing crises, volunteer work has emerged as a critical force in bridging the gap between urgent need and timely relief. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in alignment with the ambitious goals set forth in Vision 2030, has made significant strides in fostering a culture of volunteerism. Through its efforts, the Kingdom seeks not only to raise awareness of the value of volunteering but also to enhance its effectiveness and create an environment that supports the expansion of volunteer initiatives. A key component of this initiative is the goal of increasing the number of volunteers in Saudi Arabia to 1 million, demonstrating a national commitment to giving back and supporting those in need both domestically and internationally.
At the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote volunteerism is the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which has become a global leader in humanitarian aid, relief activities, and volunteer engagement. Since its founding, KSrelief has executed an impressive 3,135 projects across 106 countries, with a total value exceeding $7 billion. This has solidified its reputation as a global model in humanitarian work, particularly in the fields of health, education, and emergency relief. By engaging both local and international volunteers, KSrelief has been able to expand the reach of its programs, ensuring that vital expertise and assistance are provided where they are needed most.
Recognizing the critical role that volunteers play in achieving its mission, KSrelief offers numerous opportunities for Saudi citizens and residents to contribute to its relief efforts. In 2019, the center launched the Saudi Portal for External Volunteering (https://volunteer.ksrelief.org/), an online platform that allows interested individuals to register for volunteer programs. This initiative has led to the implementation of 799 volunteer programs in various fields, including medical services and training. Through these programs, KSrelief has carried out over 193,000 specialized surgeries and positively impacted the lives of 2 million individuals in 50 countries. The platform has become a key tool in mobilizing Saudi volunteers to support global humanitarian initiatives, allowing them to participate in life-saving missions and transfer their expertise to local healthcare professionals in beneficiary countries.
Among the center’s most notable initiatives is the Noor Saudi Volunteer Program to Combat Blindness and its Causes, launched in September 2019. This program focuses primarily on cataract surgeries and has been implemented in at least 36 countries, providing over 460 projects that have benefited 1.8 million people. The program has performed more than 180,000 cataract surgeries, distributed 460,000 eyeglasses, and conducted numerous medical examinations and clinics for individuals with visual impairments. This initiative is a testament to KSrelief’s commitment to addressing specific health challenges in underserved communities around the world.
Another hallmark program is the Saudi Pulse Volunteer Program for Heart Diseases and Surgery, which was launched in 2020. This initiative has provided life-saving heart procedures, including open-heart surgeries and catheterizations, in 16 countries. With 108 volunteer medical programs completed, the Saudi Pulse program has directly benefited over 11,000 patients while training local healthcare teams and supplying essential medications. The success of this program highlights KSrelief’s ongoing efforts to meet the complex health needs of vulnerable populations, especially those suffering from heart conditions.
KSrelief has also responded swiftly to natural disasters, such as the devastating earthquake on the Syrian-Turkish border in February 2023. In response to the urgent need for medical care, the center launched the Saudi “Hayat” Volunteer Program, which provided critical medical support in specialized areas such as first aid, orthopedic surgery, burn treatment, and prosthetic limb installation. This initiative was an important example of how Saudi volunteers have mobilized quickly to provide relief in the wake of a natural disaster.
More recently, in July 2024, KSrelief introduced the Saudi Hearing Volunteer Program, focusing on cochlear implant surgeries for Syrian and Turkish children with hearing impairments. This unprecedented program aims to conduct 940 cochlear implant surgeries and distribute 3,000 hearing aids to children who would otherwise lack access to such crucial medical interventions. The program’s launch underscores KSrelief’s dedication to improving the lives of children and families affected by hearing loss in conflict-affected regions.
Additionally, in 2024, KSrelief launched the Saudi Athar Program, which provides medical support to Sudan through volunteer projects in urology, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and cataract surgeries. To date, this initiative has benefited more than 130,000 people, further demonstrating KSrelief's commitment to addressing a wide array of medical needs across the globe.
On International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, which is celebrated annually on December 5, KSrelief joins the global community in honoring the invaluable contributions of volunteers worldwide. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that volunteerism plays in alleviating human suffering, especially in times of crisis. For Saudi Arabia, it also highlights the Kingdom’s strong commitment to fostering a culture of giving, where volunteerism is not only a response to immediate needs but a key part of the nation’s social fabric.
Through its diverse and impactful initiatives, KSrelief continues to stand as a beacon of hope, delivering essential aid to millions of people around the world. The center's work exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to humanity, extending both a helping hand and a message of compassion to those in need. As the Kingdom looks toward a future defined by Vision 2030, KSrelief’s volunteer-driven efforts play an integral role in fulfilling the nation’s aspirations to contribute to global humanitarian efforts and support sustainable development worldwide.
