Latest news with #4thRiyadhInternationalHumanitarianForum
Arab News
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Silent Suffering: When global humanitarian systems fail and local capacities struggle to respond
Across the world, millions of people are trapped in humanitarian crises that barely make the headlines, if they ever do. These are children, women and men — families torn apart, in pain, in tears, or living in fear. Their lives are in danger. Yet, the international humanitarian aid system faces mounting obstacles and disruptions that restrict its ability to save lives. At the same time, national and local capacities lack the resources to cope with these crises. Humanitarian principles are being disregarded. Aid workers are being attacked, access to victims is being restricted and violations of international law have further complicated efforts. Global solidarity, the foundation of multilateral and bilateral cooperation, is in retreat. This has led to shifts or withdrawals of humanitarian funding, as donor governments increasingly prioritize domestic concerns over international aid. Who will save lives, ease suffering and defend human dignity if resources for humanitarian organizations continue to diminish, local capacities are struggling or suddenly abandoned and skepticism toward global humanitarian action prevails? According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 305 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2025, an increase from previous years. OCHA's data paints a grim picture, highlighting numerous cases of neglected crises. The suffering in Sudan, Haiti, Palestine, Ukraine, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria, among others, is staggering. Consider just three cases, among more than 40 nations and territories included in the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025, that exemplify the persistent pattern of silent suffering. First, the humanitarian situation in Palestine (Gaza & the West Bank) continues to worsen. The UN estimates that at least $6.6 billion is needed to assist 3.3 million people. Yet, even if funding is secured, humanitarian aid remains constrained by access restrictions, ongoing conflict and political deadlock. Second, the East and Southern Africa region has the largest number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, with Sudan alone accounting for 35 percent of the total. Children bear the heaviest burden — thousands have been orphaned or separated from their families. Third, nearly 6 million people in Haiti — almost half the population — require humanitarian assistance, with 3.9 million facing acute hunger. Malnutrition threatens children, while political instability and violence worsen their plight. The global funding requirement to meet these needs is projected to reach $47 billion. Yet, year after year, UN humanitarian appeals remain chronically underfunded. Local and small organizations often operate with minimal resources. The consequence? Millions are left without food, shelter, medical care, or even basic dignity. This is not just a failure of the humanitarian system; it is a failure of humanity. At the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, themed 'Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,' I reflected on the profound suffering of displaced people, refugees and those caught in protracted crises. The challenge is not just responding to immediate needs, but also ensuring sustainable solutions for those trapped in cycles of conflict, disaster and neglect. I know from experience that generosity and rapid emergency response save lives, but they are not lasting solutions. Rather, durable peace is the basis for true recovery and resilience. As someone who has lived through war, I bear witness: After years of protracted conflict in Ethiopia, I saw how peace allowed families to return to their farms, parents to work, children to go to school and communities to rebuild. Where conflict persists, suffering deepens, and trauma is passed down through generations. Over the past four decades, globalization has transformed the humanitarian response, enabling the rapid mobilization of resources as part of commitments under the Grand Bargain. Whether through increasing budgets, improving preparedness, strengthening learning, or fostering meaningful participation and empowerment of local and national stakeholders in decision-making, the Grand Bargain's plan of actions 2025–2026 are an expression of solidarity and accountability beyond national borders. However, abrupt funding freezes and reductions in foreign aid by high-income countries, often driven by nationalist policies or justified by concerns over corruption, economic burden, or shifting geopolitical interests, threaten the very foundation of global solidarity and humanitarian accountability. As a result, many organizations are facing severe financial constraints, exacerbating an already dire funding shortfall. At the same time, crises are becoming more complex, with overlapping conflicts, climate shocks and economic instability pushing humanitarian needs to unprecedented levels. The future of humanitarian response depends on addressing systemic challenges in the humanitarian sector and strengthening local leadership to respond to crises. Power and resources must shift to local actors, those who understand their communities best and can respond swiftly. Communities must be equipped to anticipate, mitigate and respond to crises without waiting for international aid that may arrive too late, or not at all. Strengthening local capacities, rather than reinforcing dependence on external relief, should be at the heart of humanitarian action. Investing in prevention and resilience is key to breaking the cycle of dependence on international aid. Among the most vulnerable are children who are often suffering in silence as a result of armed conflict. According to UNICEF, more than 473 million children live in conflict zones, and 47.2 million have been displaced due to violence and war. At SOS Children's Villages International, where I serve as president, we are leveraging digital platforms for family tracing and reunification, forging partnerships for emergency care, protections and providing psychosocial support to restore stability and hope for children affected by crises. Our community-based care models, including foster and kinship care, offer safe and nurturing environments. We believe that empowering local communities is the key to sustainable change. The silent suffering of millions demands renewed focus and global solidarity. Strengthening local capacities and resources, particularly ensuring adequate assistance for children, refugees and those without family care, must be a global priority. Governments, international organizations and individuals must step up to respect the humanitarian charter; not out of charity, but out of a commitment to human dignity, human rights and justice. Every human life holds equal value. No one should be left to suffer in silence. The failure of the global humanitarian system and the lack of local capacity to respond mean another day of lost lives, shattered communities and deepening despair. At the Riyadh forum, humanitarian leaders, policymakers and experts spoke eloquently about innovative approaches to crisis response, from technology to partnerships to humanitarian diplomacy. We listened to speakers from esteemed organizations discuss solutions amid a faltering humanitarian system. Now, it is time for governments and institutions to renew their commitment to humanity and act. But who will listen? • Dr. Dereje Wordofa is the president of SOS Children's Villages International.
Arab News
03-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
KSrelief, WHO sign $300 million deal to fight polio in Pakistan, Afghanistan
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently signed a $300 million cooperation agreement with the World Health Organization to develop a strategy for eradicating polio around the world. The deal, agreed on the sidelines of the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, was signed by Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the agency's supervisor general and adviser to the Royal Court, and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. It includes a series of preventive activities that will help eradicate polio in settlement areas in target countries, notably Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-03-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
KSrelief Signs Cooperation Agreement with ICRC to Provide Relief Palestinians
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has signed a joint cooperation agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to enhance emergency response efforts for those affected by the conflict in Gaza. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, held in Riyadh, SPA reported. The agreement was signed by KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General for Operations and Programs, Eng. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, and ICRC Director-General Pierre Krähenbühl. Under the agreement, an additional $1.85 million will be allocated, bringing the total support to $11.85 million. The funding aims to strengthen ICRC's efforts in Gaza by ensuring the delivery of medical supplies to health facilities and supporting the water and environmental sanitation sector. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts, carried out through KSrelief in collaboration with international humanitarian organizations, to provide vital aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Associated Press
27-02-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Global Leaders Unite in Riyadh to Chart New Course for Humanitarian Action
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RHIF) concluded today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in global humanitarian efforts. Held under the theme 'Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,' the forum coincided with the 10th anniversary of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). World leaders, including representatives from governments, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector, gathered to address pressing humanitarian challenges. The event, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reaffirmed the commitment to fostering a compassionate and resilient global community. The forum focused on key resolutions, including strengthening cooperative action and humanitarian diplomacy, reaffirming commitment to core humanitarian principles, enhancing cross-sector collaboration, promoting partnerships to empower displaced individuals, and driving sustainable humanitarian action. High-level panel discussions covered critical topics such as humanitarian diplomacy, effective aid delivery, and addressing displacement amid escalating conflicts and natural disasters. The event also saw the signing of significant agreements, including partnerships between the World Health Organization (WHO) and KSrelief, focusing on expanding life-saving health interventions in Yemen and for Sudanese refugees in Egypt. As the forum concluded, participants renewed their pledge to navigate the future of humanitarian response with courage and determination. The event has set a strong foundation for addressing global humanitarian challenges and paving the way for a more just and humane world. This year's forum, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system, advocated for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises, as well as the safety and security of aid workers. The collaboration between various sectors and organizations highlighted at the 4th RHIF underscores the global commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. About KSrelief: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional, and international organizations.
Arab News
25-02-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Kingdom and Gates Foundation forge ‘strong and growing partnership'
RIYADH: The Gates Foundation is working with Saudi Arabia to help protect 370 million children from polio each year and lift millions out of poverty in 33 Islamic Development Bank-member countries, a leading official from the foundation said on Tuesday. The organization is also preparing to open a regional office in Riyadh, at Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, to enhance its collaborations with authorities in the Kingdom. 'We have had a very strong and growing partnership with Saudi Arabia for some time. We work together on a variety of issues,' Dr. Chris Elias, the foundation's president of global development, told Arab News at the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum. During a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh last year, Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the foundation announced a joint initiative to eradicate polio, improve global health and alleviate poverty. 'As we saw at the signing ceremony in the opening session of the RIHF on Monday … Saudi Arabia signed these agreements with the World Health Organization and UNICEF for $500 million over the next five years for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative,' Elias said. The funding provided by these agreements will be allocated to UN agencies that help implement the initiative. 'We also fund WHO and UNICEF,' he added. 'So our partnership is that we together give money to the key organizations that are fighting to eradicate polio. 'I currently chair the board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is implemented by WHO and UNICEF, and we have made tremendous progress on eradicating polio from the world. 'We are down to two countries; for the last eight years, the only countries with endemic polio have been Pakistan and Afghanistan. So the majority of our effort at present is to finish the job on the eradication of polio in those two countries.' Speaking about the Kingdom's contributions to these efforts, he said: 'Saudi Arabia made a very large pledge and, as a consequence, we added a representative from the Kingdom to the governing board of what's called the Polio Oversight Board for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, that actually reaches about 370 million children a year with immunization. 'The second major component of our collaboration has been with the Islamic Development Bank on the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, that began five or six years ago. After a very successful first phase, we announced the Lives and Livelihoods' second phase last year, to which Saudi Arabia pledged $100 million. 'And our pledge was up to $100 million, to a limit of 20 percent of the funds, because we have other funders coming in: the government of the UAE, the government of Qatar, as well as support from the Islamic Development Bank itself through the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development.' Elias also pointed out that the Gates Foundation, a charitable organization established 25 years ago by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his former wife, Melinda, has been working to support UNICEF's humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza. As for the opening of a regional office in Riyadh, he said: 'We are in the process, following through on the registration.' During the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh last November, the Gates Foundation and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as Misk, announced Challenge for Change, a program that aims to provide support for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises across Saudi Arabia. This assistance includes seed funding for researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and nonprofits that have the potential to make a social impact in the Middle East and North Africa, Elias explained. In Afghanistan, 'which has one of the most significant humanitarian situations in the world,' he said that the foundation is working with the Kingdom, the governments of the UAE and Qatar, and the Islamic Development Bank to help strengthen the healthcare system in the country. 'We also work with the Kingdom on disease outbreaks,' Elias added. 'We have a partnership, together with the WHO, for the Global Health Emergency Corps that sets out actions to save lives during health emergencies. It involves many countries but Saudi Arabia is serving as a pilot country for that emergency core.' It is very important to get disease outbreaks under control quickly, he said, and this is something that is particularly relevant in Saudi Arabia, a country that welcomes so many visitors from around the world every year for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. 'The Kingdom takes the protection of the holy sites and the protection of pilgrims who come to the holy cities, Makkah and Madinah, very seriously,' Elias noted. Regarding the recent decision by President Donald Trump to withdraw the US from the WHO, Elias said: 'WHO provides important guidance for countries around the world in public health. Gates Foundation is a major supporter of the WHO. The work of the WHO is going to remain extremely important and we will continue to work with them on these critical health issues. 'Our partnership will remain strong with them. I don't see us being able to step in to replace funding from the US, or anybody else, but we will continue to partner with the WHO on the most important health issues, polio eradication being one of them.' KSrelief, the Saudi aid agency, this year celebrates its 10th anniversary and Elias said: 'We have worked with KSrelief for many of these projects, on the Polio Legacy Challenge and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. 'I was very impressed at the forum's opening ceremony to see they had a wonderful video that documented their 10-year history of humanitarian assistance. 'We have been working with them very intensely for, probably, the last five years. I think it's really impressive what KSrelief has achieved in the first 10 years. We look forward to working with them for the next 10 years.'
