Riyadh, October 3, 2024 — Yemen's Prime Minister, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, along with his delegation, visited the headquarters of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Riyadh on Wednesday. During the visit, discussions were held with Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Adviser to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief, alongside senior officials from the center. The dialogue primarily focused on the ongoing humanitarian and relief initiatives led by Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support the people of Yemen, and strategies were explored to further strengthen these efforts.
Dr. Al Rabeeah reiterated KSrelief’s unwavering commitment to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable, displaced, and afflicted communities in Yemen. He emphasized that these humanitarian efforts are a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted humanitarian values, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The center’s initiatives highlight the Kingdom's role as a global leader in relief work and its dedication to humanitarian causes.
Prime Minister Bin Mubarak was briefed on the extensive range of Saudi humanitarian efforts, spanning from 1996 to 2024, which have impacted 171 countries at a total value of $132 billion. A significant portion, approximately $27 billion, has been directed toward Yemen alone. The discussion also touched upon Saudi Arabia’s impressive Official Development Assistance (ODA) contributions, which accounted for 1.9% of its Gross National Income (GNI) in 2014—well above the United Nations’ recommended target of 0.7% for ODA contributions by nations.
During the meeting, the scope of KSrelief’s global humanitarian efforts was outlined, covering 3,068 projects across 102 countries with a total expenditure of $7 billion. Yemen has been a central focus of these initiatives, with 976 projects worth over $4 billion aimed at critical areas such as healthcare, education, and rehabilitation. Specific programs, including 479 projects dedicated to women and 478 to children, were highlighted. Notable initiatives include the rehabilitation of children impacted by war and child soldiers, the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM), and the artificial limbs program, which have been crucial in restoring normalcy to conflict-affected regions.
Another key highlight of the meeting was the Saudi program for separating conjoined twins, recognized globally for its humanitarian achievements since its launch in 1990. The program has successfully completed 61 separation surgeries over the past 34 years, evaluating 142 cases from 26 countries, including several from Yemen.
Furthermore, the discussions underscored Saudi Arabia’s role as a major host country for refugees. The Kingdom currently hosts an estimated 1,093,000 refugees, representing 5.26% of its population. This includes 561,911 Yemeni refugees, alongside significant populations from Syria and Myanmar.
In response to the briefing, Prime Minister Bin Mubarak expressed his deep gratitude for the extensive and impactful humanitarian efforts made by KSrelief. He praised the center’s pivotal role in aiding the underprivileged and distressed populations worldwide and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Saudi Arabia for their steadfast support of Yemen. These efforts, he noted, exemplify the enduring fraternal ties between the two nations.