Latest news with #EuropeanHumanitarianForum2025
Saudi Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
KSrelief chief urges stronger response to Middle East crises
Saudi Gazette report 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.'
Saudi Gazette
20-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
KSrelief and UNDP sign $5 million agreement to rehabilitate damaged bakeries in Syria
Saudi Gazette report BRUSSELS — The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) signed on Monday a $5 million joint project agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance food security, fostering economic recovery, and strengthening resilience of local communities in Syria by rehabilitating 33 bread production units in eight of Syria's 14 governorates. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and KSrelief General Supervisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement on the sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Brussels. The rehabilitation project includes basic restoration work, installation of new production lines, maintenance of existing ones, and the rehabilitation of two mobile bread production units. At present, over 12.4 million people, or more than 60 percent of the population, face food insecurity in Syria after fourteen years of conflict. The damage sustained to government-run bakeries during the crisis has severely disrupted bread production, exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable communities. The lack of resources for infrastructure repair has further delayed recovery, making the rehabilitation of these bakeries an essential step toward stabilizing the food supply and supporting economic recovery. The project aims to bolster food security in regions with high numbers of returnees, displaced persons, and host communities by reinstating the basic operations of government-operated bakeries that have suffered damage. Through rehabilitation and increased production capacity, the project will help meet the essential needs of the population. Additionally, it is expected to create 500 jobs in the bakery sector, contributing to local economic recovery. This endeavor is part of the Kingdom's ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support food security and mitigate the hardships faced by affected populations worldwide, and that is in collaboration with United Nations humanitarian agencies.
