NEW YORK: KSrelief chief has told the United Nations that they have doubled its humanitarian efforts in Sudan over the past year. He told this a meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the royal court and KSrelief supervisor general, stated that the Sudanese people “are working to address enormous challenges, and deserve much from us.”
During the meeting, titled “The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” he delivered a speech on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), noting that the Sudanese people are facing massive challenges, working to overcome them, and deserve much from us.
“Recognizing the duty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) towards Sudan, intensive efforts have been exerted since the start of the humanitarian crisis to restore hope to the people,” the KSrelief head said.
“The Jeddah Declaration was the first measure, aiming to ensure the protection of civilian population and the delivery of urgent relief aid. The efforts of the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group have recently helped thousands of needy people in Darfur. However, the recent escalation of violence in some areas has worsened the situation, forcing millions to flee their houses, leaving behind everything they own, and sometimes even family members.”
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“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has provided more than $3 billion in support to Sudan, including $132 million in humanitarian aid distributed across various geographical areas and humanitarian sectors,” Dr. Al Rabeeah stated.
“Prior to the crisis in April 2023, KSrelief had focused on implementing sustainable interventions. However, the worsening humanitarian conditions due to the conflict have undermined these efforts, necessitating a shift to providing immediate help. KSrelief has doubled its efforts in Sudan, implementing over 70 humanitarian projects since April 2023 at a cost exceeding $73 million in collaboration with United Nations organizations and other humanitarian groups.”
He also highlighted the series of Saudi humanitarian air and sea missions organized by KSrelief to address urgent challenges. The missions are funded via government and public support as part of the KSrelief National Aid Campaign to Provide Urgent Relief for the People of Sudan. He explained that despite KSrelief’s efforts, challenges persist, and the crisis’s impact necessitates collective action to provide unrestricted humanitarian help and ensure a sustainable, coordinated response with safe and unhindered access to conflict-affected areas.
Concluding his speech, he said, “As a humanitarian community, we must deal with the humanitarian crisis in Sudan away from political considerations. It is a humanitarian tragedy that needs transcending divisions, and together, we can make a real change that ensures all people in Sudan enjoy equal opportunities to rebuild their lives”.
He also indicated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to do everything possible to end the crisis and achieve security and stability for Sudan and its people.
