Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated on Monday the first Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum.
Upon arrival at the venue, the monarch was received by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of the Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region, Advisor-Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and a number of officials, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Addressing the gatherers, Rabeeah said: “Humanitarian aid requires combining the efforts of donors and executors as we face challenges that demand a review of current policies and procedures related to the humanitarian field.”
“We should work together to create new initiatives, in cooperation with donors, to allow beneficiaries to become productive in order to increase the impact of humanitarian aid,” he stated in a speech.
To that end, he underlined the need to utilize technology in logistics operations.
Rabeeah stressed that KSRelief managed in the short time since its formation to ease humanitarian suffering in 40 countries on four continents through 330 relief projects.
“Through these efforts, it succeeded in projecting the humanitarian aspect of this generous kingdom, its leadership and people,” he added.
These efforts have been achieved in partnership with United National agencies and international and local non-profit organizations.
Following Rabeeah’s speech, a recorded message by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was played in which he expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for organizing the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum.
KSRelief then signed agreements with the International Organization for Migration on helping Syrian and Muslim Rohingya refugees.
The first deal will see the provision of water and sanitation solution at a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. The second will focus on providing psycho-social support for Syrian refugees in Greece.
