Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an esteemed advisor to the Saudi Royal Court and the supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, played a pivotal role in a high-level meeting that aimed to address the critical humanitarian funding gap. The meeting was a collaborative effort involving Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and the European Union, and it took place during the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
In attendance were Martin Griffiths, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, as well as various representatives from countries and humanitarian organizations. The session was skillfully moderated by Lisa Doten from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah emphasized the importance of uniting humanitarian efforts to broaden the base of donor countries, organizations, and individuals. He stressed the need for enhanced coordination and the maximization of the impact of humanitarian aid to ensure its effectiveness.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian causes, Dr. Al-Rabeeah mentioned the annual “Gift of Dates” campaign, a partnership with the World Food Programme, which contributes over $136 million to aid initiatives benefiting 72 countries worldwide.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Rabeeah pointed out that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has been actively involved in the global response to the COVID-19 crisis. This involvement includes the provision of vaccines, medical equipment, medications, and medical care units to support countries grappling with the pandemic. Additionally, he underscored the significance of financial support and the role it plays in motivating countries and donors to offer both material and financial resources to address pressing humanitarian needs.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah’s participation in this meeting underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian causes and its dedication to collaborating with the international community to address global challenges and alleviate the suffering of those in need.