Riyadh, December 6, 2024 – December 3rd marks the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. This global observance aims to empower people with disabilities by advocating for equal access to healthcare, education, and cultural services, ensuring that no one is excluded from these essential opportunities due to their disabilities.
Since 2011, Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of efforts to support individuals with disabilities, launching 66 major projects with a total value of $49.8 million. Of these, 40 projects, worth $39.2 million, have been implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian assistance both locally and internationally.
A pivotal element of KSrelief’s work is its Artificial Limbs Program, which offers free, high-quality prosthetic limbs to amputees in conflict zones such as Yemen and Syria. This initiative not only provides vital prosthetic devices but also focuses on local capacity building by training professionals in the manufacture of artificial limbs, as well as strengthening healthcare institutions to ensure the sustainability of these services over the long term. Since its inception, the program has been a beacon of hope for 26,088 beneficiaries, enabling them to reintegrate into society and lead productive lives despite the challenges of physical disability.
Another significant humanitarian project under KSrelief’s banner is the Saudi Sama’a Volunteer Program for Cochlear Implantation and Hearing Rehabilitation, which was launched in July 2024. This ambitious program, which is the largest of its kind globally, aims to provide 940 cochlear implant surgeries and 3,000 hearing aids for children in Syria and Turkey. Led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and KSrelief Supervisor General, the program underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing advanced medical care for individuals with disabilities. These surgeries, which are the first to be carried out under volunteer medical programs, represent a crucial milestone in ensuring that children with hearing disabilities can access life-changing treatments and reintegrate into society.
KSrelief’s outreach extends beyond the Middle East, as it has also been active in Somalia, where it has focused on capacity-building initiatives aimed at providing essential healthcare, education, and protection services for children with disabilities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to support vulnerable populations globally and promote inclusive growth in developing nations, where people with disabilities often face significant barriers to accessing basic services.
Globally, over 1 billion individuals, or approximately 15% of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. Many developing nations struggle to meet the healthcare, educational, and economic needs of this community, making the International Day of Persons with Disabilities a crucial platform for advocating for these individuals’ rights. The global observance seeks to foster greater international cooperation and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities everywhere.
KSrelief’s active participation in this day reflects Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities. Through its numerous programs and initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to work towards a more inclusive and equitable future, ensuring that individuals with disabilities worldwide have the opportunities and resources they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
