NEW YORK: Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah has reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to current and future global humanitarian efforts, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.
He made the remarks during a high-level event titled “Building a Better World Together: The Future of Humanitarian Action”, held on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future as part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Al Rabeeah in a speech on the occasion said: “At this important event, we aim to explore the challenges and opportunities available to improve the future of humanitarian action, and to join our efforts and resolve to align global humanitarian action with the core principles of the United Nations Charter and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
He talked about the unprecedented challenges and crises facing humanitarian action, such as violations of international humanitarian law, conflicts, displacement, and natural disasters, responding to which necessitates effective mechanisms and avoiding placing further pressure on the humanitarian aid system.
He noted that since its establishment, in 2015, the KSrelief, in cooperation with 192 humanitarian organizations, has implemented more than 3,000 projects in 102 countries, at a cost of $7 billion.
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Al Rabeeah said: “We are aware that achieving successful future outcomes requires the implementation of sustainable solutions through innovative and proactive measures, as well as a commitment to accountability to affected populations.”
He mentioned the Saudi Masam Project, one of KSrelief’s key programs which focused on clearing explosives in Yemen, to ensure a safer present and future for all Yemenis. He added the removal of more than 460,000 mines has helped achieve several SDGs by improving public safety, and access to healthcare, education and livelihood.
Al Rabeeah said that the event was an opportunity to reflect on how multilateral approaches can respond to challenges and enhance collective efforts to build a better world.
He stressed that KSrelief “is committed to applying the nexus approach, integrating humanitarian action with development and peace efforts. This comprehensive framework is essential for understanding the complex nature of humanitarian interventions”.
He strongly believed that “by working hand in hand, we can alleviate human suffering, empower communities, address the root causes of crises, and promote respect for international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, ensuring equal opportunities for all and fostering hope for a better world”.
The high-level side event was co-hosted by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Secretariat and several key organizations, including the International Council of Voluntary Agencies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, among others.
