UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) signed a joint agreement today worth $5 million of cash assistance in support of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The agreement was co-signed in Beirut on Wednesday by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Saudi Royal Court and General Supervisor of KSRelief, and Ms. Dominique Hyde, director of UNHCR's Department of External Relations, on behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The contribution will provide cash assistance for 4,244 Syrian families of the most vulnerable in Lebanon (approximately 30,000 individuals) to cover their immediate needs for a period of six months. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah stated that: "KSRelief's launching of this program in close coordination with UNHCR, is a demonstration of the strategic partnership between UNHCR and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This contribution reflects the commitment of the Government of Saudi Arabia in alleviating the suffering of refugees regionally and globally." "UNHCR is proud of its continued collaboration with KSRelief, a partnership which continues to support our efforts in responding to pressing humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable refugees worldwide," said Hyde. "This contribution will improve the living conditions of thousands of refugees who struggle to survive the hardships they encounter on a daily basis," she added. The Kingdom is a key regional donor and one of the top ranking globally, with over $220 million contributed to UNHCR since 2013, including this donation. Of the total contributions, approximately US$53 million were chanelled through KSRelief since its establishment in 2015. — SG
