Saudi Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Worldwide Approaches $24 Billion

Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
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Saudi Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Worldwide Approaches $24 Billion

Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 

Saudi Arabia’s support for refugees, displaced persons, and temporary residents around the world has reached unprecedented levels, according to newly released figures that highlight the Kingdom’s expanding humanitarian role.

The assistance reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, rooted in its humanitarian values and dedication to preserving human dignity wherever it is threatened.

The figures were released as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced Sunday the establishment of a new camp for displaced Palestinians north of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The facility is intended to provide safe shelter for families who have lost their homes amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and is part of the Saudi public fundraising campaign to assist the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Coinciding with World Refugee Day, the data show that Saudi Arabia has provided more than $23.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to refugees, displaced persons, and temporary residents, both within the Kingdom and through relief, humanitarian, and development programs implemented across the globe.

The total reinforces Saudi Arabia’s standing as one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors.

Support for Refugees Living in Saudi Arabia

According to the data, refugees account for approximately 5.5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population. The Kingdom has devoted considerable attention to those residing within its borders by providing free healthcare and education, facilitating access to employment opportunities, and promoting their integration into society across all regions of the country.

By 2026, assistance provided to visitors and refugees from Yemen, Syria, the Rohingya minority, and Sudan had exceeded $20.43 billion.

International Relief Efforts

Internationally, KSrelief continues to implement relief programs designed to ensure aid reaches those most in need. Its efforts include establishing and equipping refugee camps, operating mobile medical clinics, distributing food baskets and shelter supplies, and implementing water and sanitation projects.

Syria topped the list of beneficiary countries, receiving 254 KSrelief projects valued at $290 million. These included the management and operation of KSrelief clinics in Jordan’s Zaatari Refugee Camp at a cost exceeding $2 million; the distribution of winter clothing vouchers in Lebanon under the Kanaf program, valued at $700,000; and the distribution of more than six million loaves of bread through the Al-Amal Charitable Bakery at a cost of more than $3 million.

In Yemen, KSrelief implemented 49 humanitarian projects worth more than $145 million. The initiatives included the operation and maintenance of the Saudi Village for Yemeni Refugees in Obock, Djibouti, as well as the operation of medical clinics providing primary and emergency healthcare services and early-stage medical intervention.

In Palestine, the center carried out 41 projects valued at more than $17 million, focusing on strengthening food and agricultural security, supplying essential inputs for bread production, and distributing vouchers for basic food commodities.

Joint Programs with International Organizations

As part of broader efforts to support refugees and displaced populations, KSrelief has signed joint implementation agreements with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organizations.

Among these initiatives is a program to strengthen protection services for displaced and refugee families in Yemen, benefiting 44,722 individuals at a cost exceeding $3 million.

The center has also funded an emergency relief program for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The initiative serves more than 23,000 beneficiaries and aims to improve living conditions while reducing the risks associated with harsh winter weather.

In Burkina Faso, KSrelief launched a separate project to procure and distribute 3,400 shelter kits to the most vulnerable families, benefiting approximately 17,000 people.

Since its establishment in 2015, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has implemented 4,394 projects in 113 countries, with a total value exceeding $8 billion.

 

 

 

 



300 Saudi Projects to Strengthen Essential Services in Yemen

Hundreds of Saudi projects support the education and health sectors in Yemen. (SDRPY)
Hundreds of Saudi projects support the education and health sectors in Yemen. (SDRPY)
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300 Saudi Projects to Strengthen Essential Services in Yemen

Hundreds of Saudi projects support the education and health sectors in Yemen. (SDRPY)
Hundreds of Saudi projects support the education and health sectors in Yemen. (SDRPY)

Saudi Arabia is stepping up development and humanitarian efforts in Yemen, expanding healthcare and education services, improving access to water and delivering food and shelter to displaced families across the country.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) has carried out 300 projects and initiatives across 16 governorates, spanning eight key areas: education, healthcare, energy, water, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and support for the Yemeni government's institutional capacity.

In healthcare, the program has delivered more than 40 projects and initiatives and supported 30 medical facilities across 13 governorates, building, equipping and operating hospitals and healthcare centers while training medical personnel and strengthening their specialized skills.

Among its flagship projects is the 270-bed Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Aden, equipped with 14 specialized clinics, a cardiac center and more than 2,000 medical devices and pieces of equipment.

Since opening in January 2023, the hospital has provided nearly five million medical services through October 2026, including 31,000 surgical procedures and more than 11,000 cardiac surgeries and catheterization procedures, according to published figures.

Other major projects include the King Salman Medical and Educational City in Al-Mahra governorate, home to a 110-bed hospital, and support for the governorate's dialysis center, which has delivered more than 100,000 specialized medical services, including over 22,000 dialysis sessions.

The program has also rehabilitated healthcare centers in Socotra, supplied medical equipment to hospitals in Marib and operated healthcare facilities in Socotra and Shabwa.

Education is another major focus, with around 60 projects and initiatives across 11 governorates. These include building and equipping more than 40 model schools, upgrading university infrastructure and laboratories, expanding technical and vocational education, and improving teacher training and access to schooling in rural areas.

At the University of Aden, projects include equipping 28 laboratories at the Faculty of Pharmacy and establishing a forensic research laboratory at the Faculty of Law.

Saudi Arabia has been keen on supporting the education sector in Yemen. (SDRPY)

In Marib, the program has supported the development of the University of Saba Region with two new buildings housing 16 classrooms, an administrative building and university transportation.

Efforts to expand girls' education in rural areas have also gained ground. The first phase of the Rural Education Access Project trained 150 young women for teaching diplomas, while the second aims to train 450 female secondary school graduates across six rural governorates.

Another initiative is training 200 male and female teachers under the International Professional Certifications in Teaching Project.

Humanitarian response

Alongside long-term development efforts, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is delivering emergency water, food and shelter assistance to displaced families across several Yemeni governorates.

In Taiz and Lahj, emergency water and sanitation agreements provide for daily water supplies over 90 days, alongside distribution points, storage containers and water quality testing.

The Taiz project is expected to reach 3,500 people directly and another 700 indirectly. In Lahj, the figures stand at 2,163 direct beneficiaries and 1,050 indirect beneficiaries.

Food assistance has also reached displaced communities in Abyan, Aden and Shabwa.

The center distributed 510 food baskets in the Khanfar district in Abyan, 350 in the Mansoura district in Aden and 1,100 in the Nisab district in Shabwa, benefiting 7,700 people.

In the Hajjah governorate, 564 people in the Haradh and Midi districts received shelter assistance, including 94 tents and 94 shelter kits.

Together, the initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia's efforts to combine long-term investment in Yemen's essential services, education and institutional capacity with immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced people and local communities.


GCC Secretary-General Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister in Istanbul

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister in Istanbul

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi met on Friday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference held under the theme "Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Mediation in a Changing World."

The two sides reviewed GCC-Turkish relations and explored avenues to broaden cooperation across various fields, reflecting the growing partnership between the GCC and Türkiye to serve mutual interests, SPA reported.

Both officials expressed their shared anticipation for convening the seventh Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Türkiye in the coming period, emphasizing its role in advancing joint initiatives and opening new horizons for cooperation.

The meeting also addressed the latest regional developments, with both sides exchanging views on efforts to de-escalate tensions and bolster regional security and stability.


UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
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UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that its monitoring and environmental assessment systems had detected marine pollution caused by an oil leak from a tanker.

The spill had affected beaches in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, the ministry said.

It said in a statement that the leak had caused odors reported by residents of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, adding that it posed no health concerns or risks to residents.

All beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain had been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the marine environment while survey operations were completed, added the ministry.

Specialist teams had begun coordinating with the relevant authorities to contain the pollution, cordon off affected areas and launch cleanup and remediation operations to limit its environmental impact, the statement added.