Saudi Arabia's KSrelief: Beacon of Hope in World Facing Food Crisis

Riyadh, October 17, 2024, SPA -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has been at the forefront of global efforts to address food insecurity and improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities worldwide.
Marking World Food Day, observed annually on October 16, KSrelief highlights the critical importance of the food, water, and environmental sanitation sector in improving the lives of vulnerable populations. The center aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by millions of people worldwide who lack access to these essential resources.
Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has implemented over 3,000 projects in 102 countries, covering a wide range of sectors including food and agricultural security, early recovery, water and environmental sanitation, health, education, and shelter.
As of 2015, the center has implemented 902 projects related to food and agricultural security, totaling over $2.11 billion, 28 projects in the nutrition sector with a total value of $187.68 million, and 99 projects in the water and environmental sanitation sector valued at $294.32 million.
KSrelief has collaborated extensively with the World Food Program (WFP) to deliver humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in various countries. In the Gaza Strip, the center has provided food aid to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, utilizing various modes of transportation, including land, air, and sea, as well as airdrops conducted in partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces.
More recently, KSrelief signed agreements to address critical needs in Somalia and Sudan. In Somalia, the center is working to prevent severe malnutrition in drought-affected areas, benefiting 180,148 individuals. In Sudan, KSrelief has committed to supporting the water and sanitation sector in Kassala and Al-Qadarif states, directly impacting 833,520 individuals and indirectly benefiting an additional 5 million people. These initiatives were announced during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
In 2023, KSrelief launched the dates aid program in 72 countries. The program provided over 19,000 tons of dates, including 4,000 tons distributed through WFP, at a total cost of SAR136 million.
In 2024, the center initiated the Ramadan Iftar distribution project in nine Yemeni governorates. This initiative provided essential food supplies to over 30,000 families during the holy month of Ramadan, demonstrating KSrelief's commitment to meeting the basic food needs of vulnerable populations worldwide.
-- SPA