RIYADH: A high-profile delegation from France has said a big “vive la Saudi Arabia!” to the Kingdom’s vital humanitarian aid work throughout the world.
The visiting group of French parliamentarians, business leaders and scientific researchers expressed their admiration for the multi-billion-dollar relief projects being carried out by the Kingdom in 44 different countries.
The general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met the delegates on Thursday to discuss various relief programs currently taking place.
During the meeting, Al-Rabeeah gave a presentation on KSRelief’s global operations, which total 996 projects worth $3.25 billion carried out in conjunction with 141 UN, international and regional partners.
The French visitors were briefed about the Kingdom’s crucial humanitarian work in war-torn Yemen over the last four years, which has amounted to $11.88 billion.
Al-Rabeeah highlighted major KSRelief initiatives such as its rehabilitation program for child soldiers and the MASAM land mine clearance scheme.
Other important projects in Yemen related to food, water, sanitation and hygiene, along with education and medical assistance, and help with the control of cholera. He noted that other efforts specifically targeted aid for women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Despite the illegal actions of Houthi militias operating in Yemen — including their destruction and looting of aid stores and shipments, and the withholding of aid from needy Yemenis — Al-Rabeeah said KSRelief had still managed to distribute large amounts of supplies throughout the western Asian country.
“These violations will not stop our aid from reaching all parts of Yemen, including areas controlled by the militias,” he said.
Al-Rabeeah said that KSRelief offered valuable assistance to Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.
The official told the French delegation of KSRelief’s support for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, and for people suffering in other countries including Somalia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Iraq.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed matters of common interest in the humanitarian and relief field, and ways to increase cooperation to help even more people in need around the globe.
