In a recent meeting with members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rubaish, Counsellor at the Royal Court and Director General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, highlighted the extensive humanitarian contributions of Saudi Arabia. Between 1996 and 2025, the Kingdom has provided over $134 billion in aid to 172 countries worldwide.
Dr. Al-Rubaish detailed the foundation of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center on May 13, 2015, an initiative launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Center’s mission is centered on delivering diverse humanitarian and relief programs aligned with noble humanitarian principles.
Since its inception, the Center has executed approximately 3,400 projects in 107 countries, totaling nearly $8 billion. These projects span critical sectors, including food security, education, health, protection, nutrition, water, environmental sanitation, and others essential for addressing global humanitarian needs. The Center also aims to enhance capacity building, transfer knowledge, and empower civil society organizations in middle- and low-income countries. This is achieved through collaboration with skilled Saudi experts and local professionals to ensure effective project implementation.
Dr. Al-Rubaish emphasized the Center’s commitment to women’s empowerment, noting that it has initiated 1,089 projects focused on women globally, valued at over $868 million, benefiting more than 186 million women. Similarly, children are a priority within the Center’s humanitarian efforts; it has implemented 1,029 projects for children, exceeding $1 billion in value and assisting over 219 million children.
The discussion also highlighted notable initiatives, including the “Masam” project dedicated to clearing mines in Yemen, which has successfully removed over 487,000 landmines since its establishment in 2018. Another key initiative is the prosthetics center, which has provided services to more than 115,000 beneficiaries, alongside programs aimed at reintegrating children formerly associated with armed conflict.
Dr. Al-Rubaish introduced a unique Saudi program catering to conjoined twins from around the world, covering all expenses related to their separation surgeries, medical treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as travel and accommodation for the twins and their families during medical care. Since its launch in 1990, the program has evaluated 149 cases from 27 countries, conducting 62 successful separation surgeries.
The Center has also launched various platforms for relief and volunteer work, such as the Saudi Aid platform, the refugee assistance platform in the Kingdom, and an online donation portal named “Sahim.” Furthermore, the “Saudi Portal for External Volunteering” aims to engage volunteers in international humanitarian efforts after adequate training. Currently, over 78,000 volunteers are registered, contributing to more than 894 diverse volunteer programs across 52 countries. These programs include educational and training initiatives, as well as medical assistance, reaching over 2.128 million individuals.
Regarding refugees, Dr. Al-Rubaish noted that Saudi Arabia ranks among the world’s leading hosts for visiting refugees, with a total of 1,095,029 individuals, primarily from Yemen, Syria, and Myanmar. The Kingdom offers refugees the right to work, as well as free healthcare and education in public schools, fostering their integration into society across various regions of the country.
Members of the House of Lords praised the humanitarian and relief efforts undertaken by the Kingdom through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, recognizing its role in alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations and responding to crises collectively and compassionately.
In summary, Dr. Al-Rubaish’s remarks underlined Saudi Arabia’s robust commitment to humanitarian aid, illustrating the significant impact of its initiatives on global welfare and the unwavering dedication to assist those in need regardless of their location.
