Khalidh Rizwan
Since the reign of King Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a global leader in humanitarian aid. This legacy continues under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The Saudi government is committed to providing charitable and humanitarian assistance with the goal of alleviating global suffering and offering support during times of crisis.
Between 1975 and 2024, Saudi Arabia has contributed approximately USD 131 billion in donations and aid, supporting 171 countries through the implementation of 7,090 humanitarian, relief, and development projects.
By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia has been recognized as the fourth largest donor of humanitarian and relief aid worldwide. Remarkably, Saudi Arabia has allocated only $1.2 billion to aid efforts this year. According to the United Nations Financial Monitoring Service (FTS), this sum accounts for 3.6% of the total aid provided by other countries to developing nations and those affected by disasters and crises.
To advance its humanitarian mission, the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Assistance and Relief (KSrelief) was established in 2015. Since then, it has implemented 3,009 aid projects across 100 countries, disbursing over $6.94 billion in assistance. This support has undeniably benefited millions of vulnerable and impoverished individuals worldwide.
To enhance Saudi Arabia’s reputation as the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid, the Saudi government has established platforms like the Saudi Aid site, the Saudi International Volunteer website, and the Sahem electronic donation portal.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is a leading provider of humanitarian assistance worldwide, with a significant focus on countries such as Yemen, Gaza, Syria, and Turkey. Notably, KSrelief has also successfully completed numerous humanitarian projects in Sri Lanka. Among these initiatives, the recent free eye surgery program for the people of Sri Lanka stands out as particularly impactful.
To address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, KSrelief has provided food, shelter, and medical supplies valued at USD 185 million through both air and sea routes. Additionally, the center has funded cancer treatment for 150 Gazans in Jordan, amounting to USD 300 million.
In response to the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, KSrelief launched a hearing rehabilitation and hearing aid donation volunteer program. This initiative is recognized as the largest voluntary humanitarian effort globally.
The United Nations has designated November 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day, following a recommendation by Saudi Arabia. This recognition underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid globally. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Saudi Conjoined Twin Program, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) will host an international conference on conjoined twins in Riyadh this November.
These efforts underscore Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in global humanitarian aid and disaster relief, aligning with one of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
