Saudi-Syrian Solidarity on World Humanitarian Day

In honour of World Humanitarian Day, the Saudi Embassy in Damascus hosted a reception on Monday, August 19, at the Sheraton Hotel in the Syrian capital. Several ambassadors were there.

According to Abdullah Al-Haris, Chargé d’Affairs of the Saudi Embassy in Syria, the purpose of celebrating World Humanitarian Day was to demonstrate gratitude and appreciation for those who had given their lives to serve humanity and aid the impoverished and refugees across the globe.

Al-Haris declared that providing humanitarian aid to Arab, Islamic, and friendly nations is one of the Kingdom’s top priorities. The Kingdom has traditionally been a leader in the world’s provision of assistance, development, and humanitarian relief to a variety of countries.

As per reports from international organisations, to help lessen their suffering as a result of conflicts or natural catastrophes. Until it became of greater significance with its continued endeavours in assistance and humanitarian work worldwide.

Al-Haris noted that Saudi Arabia uses the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre as a platform. In order to carry out its historical responsibility of being a leader in humanitarian work. This helps to aid the international community in many regions of the world.

Furthermore, it helps lessen suffering among people everywhere and guarantees that all those affected may enjoy a life of health and dignity.

Al-Haris emphasised that despite the centre’s recent opening in 2015 under the patronage and guidance of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, it has not yet completed its ten years of operation. Nevertheless, these acts of generosity have reinforced the Kingdom’s commitment to helping those in need and offering relief and humanitarian assistance to all.

More importantly, Al-Haris stressed that Syria is a brotherly nation and that we should support it. He pointed out that the King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Aid started operating in Syria following the earthquake that occurred a year ago. Besides, it has supplied the people with food, medicine, and other necessities for survival. The centre’s work is still ongoing.

Since its inception, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has completed 3,009 projects. It cost more than $6 billion and 940 million in different key sectors, including 100 nations globally.

These projects have benefited millions of the most marginalised and vulnerable populations in the targeted countries, regardless of their nationality.

Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that receives the most “visiting” refugees. As it offers them free treatment and education. Plus, it is committed to their integration into society through their presence in all regions of the Kingdom. As well as, it provides job and education opportunities in public schools.

To give aid to the Gaza Strip people, the King Salman Aid Centre deployed an air bridge of 54 planes and a sea bridge of 8 huge ships carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies worth 6,600 tonnes.

The Centre is also collaborating with Jordan to carry out an airdrop operation that will bypass the Israeli occupation forces’ blockade of the border crossings and provide high-quality food aid to those affected in the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, the centre provided financial support for the treatment of 150 cancer patients from the Gaza Strip in Jordan. At an anticipated cost of $3 million and 615 thousand dollars.

The UN has proclaimed November 24th as International Day for Conjoined Twins. It cites this as one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest humanitarian achievements.

On this day, the King Salman Relief Centre will host an international conference in Riyadh. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Saudi Programme for Conjoined Twins. Additionally, the fourth edition of the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum will take place in February 2025.

Understanding the significance of this, Saudi Arabia has been eager to support and grow philanthropic and humanitarian work. Likewise, since its establishment by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and upheld by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, to do so on solid legal grounds. It attempts to address the immediate needs of those impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide.

From 1975 to 2024, Saudi Arabia provided development aid of almost half a trillion Saudi riyals ($131 billion). It spans 171 countries worldwide and implements over 7,090 humanitarian, relief, and development projects.

Saudi Arabia contributed more than $1 billion and $200 million in humanitarian and relief aid. It provided to developing nations by the end of 2023. That placed it fourth among the world’s largest donors, according to the United Nations financial tracking platform.

This represents 3.6% of all aid given by donor nations to developing nations. Along with nations that are experiencing crises and calamities.