Geneva, October 18, 2024 – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Donor Support Group held its regular expert-level meeting yesterday in Geneva, chaired by the Kingdom of Norway. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by Dr. Aqeel Al Ghamdi, the Assistant Supervisor General of Planning and Development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), who actively participated in the discussions.
The meeting focused on reviewing the progress made in implementing OCHA's Strategic Plan for 2025 and its Flagship Initiative aimed at improving humanitarian coordination worldwide. Dr. Al-Ghamdi commended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of integrating humanitarian and development efforts to ensure that support for vulnerable populations is not only immediate but also sustainable. He pointed out that aligning these two pillars is crucial for long-term success in global humanitarian aid.
Key agenda items included the Humanitarian Program Cycle for 2025, updates on analyzing humanitarian needs, and the allocation of resources to address pressing crises. Dr. Al-Ghamdi highlighted the necessity of involving local communities in planning processes to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. By engaging local actors, humanitarian interventions can be more effective and better tailored to the specific needs of the affected populations.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Ghamdi also voiced concern over the funding gap in OCHA’s budget for 2025. He called for sustainable solutions to secure consistent funding for OCHA’s humanitarian activities, which are critical in responding to global crises. Additionally, he advocated for reinforcing oversight and accountability mechanisms to guarantee that humanitarian aid is properly managed and directed toward vulnerable groups.
A special session was held to address the humanitarian situation in Sudan, where Dr. Al-Ghamdi reviewed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to support the country amid its ongoing crisis. He noted that Saudi Arabia recently hosted a high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly to mobilize support for Sudan, resulting in the pledge of more than $500 million for humanitarian relief, including a $25 million contribution from the Central Emergency Response Fund. Saudi Arabia remains committed to providing $115 million to aid Sudan, focusing on essential areas such as food aid, health services, water, sanitation, and shelter for the displaced and refugees.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnership between donor countries and OCHA to secure the necessary funding and resources for a comprehensive and sustainable global humanitarian response. The participants underscored that effective collaboration and adequate financing are key to addressing current and future crises in a way that ensures lasting impact.