JEDDAH — On behalf of Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed ElKhereiji, participated on Saturday in the Donors' Conference to Support Displaced People and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, held in Jeddah. In his address, ElKhereiji emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to addressing humanitarian needs and providing essential aid to member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during crises. He reiterated that this commitment is rooted in the Kingdom's long-standing humanitarian principles and aligned with the OIC's charter. ElKhereiji highlighted that Saudi Arabia has a history of extending aid to countries and individuals in need, regardless of their circumstances, reflecting the noble Islamic values of solidarity, cooperation, and unity. He noted that this dedication is inspired by the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Vice Minister mentioned that the Kingdom has utilized all its resources to support humanitarian causes through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). He expressed hope that these efforts would contribute to promoting security, stability, and peace worldwide. In 2023, Saudi Arabia ranked among the top global donors for humanitarian and development aid, providing a total of $1.239 billion, leading Islamic and Arab countries. Over the past five decades, the Kingdom has offered more than $130 billion in humanitarian and development assistance to over 170 countries. ElKhereiji underscored the Kingdom's commitment to collaborating with the United Nations and various civil society organizations to support infrastructure development in host countries, aiming to alleviate the burden of displaced persons. He also emphasized the importance of fostering sustainable solutions for countries facing displacement crises. He pointed out that the deteriorating security situation, including terrorist activities, along with worsening social, economic, and health conditions in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, poses significant threats not only to African nations but also to neighboring regions. These challenges hinder efforts to achieve security, stability, and a dignified life for affected communities. ElKhereiji called on member states and relevant humanitarian organizations to expedite their relief efforts in response to the crises in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. He urged the OIC and its specialized bodies to support development projects and provide humanitarian assistance to address the region's challenges.
