KSrelief chief urges stronger response to Middle East crises
BRUSSELS — The Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, praised international recognition of Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in addressing humanitarian crises, particularly its efforts in lifting sanctions on Syria — actions that helped pave the way for improved humanitarian access and a positive response from the United States.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah made the remarks on Wednesday during his participation in the European Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Brussels, speaking at a seminar titled 'Crises in the Middle East: The Challenge of Protecting Lives and Respecting International Humanitarian Law.'
In his address, he expressed appreciation for the European Commission's focus on global humanitarian crises, especially in the Middle East, where conflicts have created immense suffering.
He cited figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), noting that over 65 million people in the region currently need humanitarian assistance, with less than 30% of response plans funded.
He emphasized that the Middle East faces one of the world's worst displacement crises, with more than 28 million people forcibly displaced.
Al-Rabeeah pointed to countries such as Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine as the epicenters of escalating humanitarian emergencies fueled by violence and instability.
'These crises are robbing children of their futures and leading to the premature deaths of thousands,' he said, stressing the urgent global needs related to food security, water and sanitation, healthcare, shelter, and education.
He also highlighted operational challenges, including threats to humanitarian workers, misinformation in needs assessments, and the destruction or looting of relief supplies.
Al-Rabeeah reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles, stating, 'Our mission is to extend help without discrimination, and to continue playing a leading role in promoting humanitarian action globally.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
12 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia roundly rejects Israeli expansionist plans
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Wednesday the statements made by the prime minister of the Israeli occupation government regarding the so-called "Vision of Greater Israel." In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's outright rejection of the settlement and expansionist plans adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities. The Kingdom reaffirmed the historical and legal right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent and sovereign state on their own land, in accordance with the relevant international laws. Saudi Arabia also warned the international community against the Israeli occupation's continued flagrant violations, which undermine the foundations of international legitimacy, blatantly infringe on the sovereignty of states, and threaten regional and international peace and security.
Leaders
12 hours ago
- Leaders
Syria, Turkey Sign Defense Cooperation Deal after Ankara Talks
The Syrian Defense Minister signed a memorandum of understanding with his Turkish Counterpart on military training and consultancy after talks in Ankara on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Over the last few months, both countries had been negotiating a comprehensive military cooperation agreement to help rebuild the Syria after the fall of Al-Assad's regime in December. During the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of obstructing the new government's efforts to rebuild Syria after over a decade of civil war. He said Israel had 'fueled certain difficulties' in Syria and cautioned that Israeli security 'cannot be achieved by undermining the security of neighboring countries.' Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Syrian Counterpart Asaad Al-Shibani 'To the contrary, you should make sure your neighboring countries are prosperous and secure. If you try to destabilize these countries, if you take steps to that end, this could trigger other crises in the region,' Fidan added. Condemning SDF's Failure to Comply with the Deal Earlier this month, a Turkish Defense Ministry source stated that Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed to comply with a deal signed with the new government earlier this year to integrate into Syria's state institutions. The source also warned that the recent clashes between the Kurdish parties and government forces threaten the country's unity, according to Reuters. 'It has not escaped our attention that the SDF terrorist organization's voice has become louder, empowered by the clashes in Syria's south,' the source told reporters at a briefing in Ankara. Turkey considers the US-backed SDF a terrorist organization and has repeatedly noted that it expects the group to abide by the deal to disarm and integrate into Syria's state institutions. 'The SDF terrorist organization's attacks in the outskirts of Manbij and Aleppo against the Syrian government in recent days damage Syria's political unity and territorial integrity,' the source added. In March, Syria's President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Chief Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement to integrate the civil and military institutions of Kurds into the Syrian government. However, the implementation of this deal was held up by differences between both parties. Related Topics: Jordan to Host Syria-US Meeting on Supporting Reconstruction Israeli Ground Forces Storm Syria in Bold Weapons Raid Qatar Boosts Syria's Power Supply with Expanded Gas Delivery Scheme Short link : Post Views: 10
Saudi Gazette
13 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Crown Prince and Korean President discuss over phone enhancing bilateral cooperation
Saudi Gazette report NEOM — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. During the call, they praised the historical relations between the two friendly countries and peoples. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to further enhance them. They also discussed avenues for cooperation in a number of fields so as to achieve common interests and strengthen cooperation between the two sides.
